KP Governor urges Centre to address KP issues, warns of possible public unrest

• Faisal Karim Kundi calls on PM Shehbaz Sharif to ‘take direct interest’ in provincial matters, cautioning KP people reached ‘critical point’ amid unresolved issues

• Warns citizens may take to streets if grievances remain unaddressed, raising concerns over wheat supply routes and suspension of CNG supply

• Kundi tells CM Afridi to focus on governance not Adiala, criticising political focus outside Adiala Jail

• Says cooperation with KP govt will continue on issues of peace, harmony and public welfare

  ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Sunday cautioned that the people of the province had reached a “critical point,” warning that if they take to the streets, “nobody could be held responsible,” while urging the federal government to urgently address the province’s outstanding issues. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should “take direct interest” in resolving KP’s concerns.

“PM Shehbaz must take interest in the province’s issues as eventually people will be forced to take to the streets,” Governor Kundi said while speaking to the media in Islamabad.

“When you do not give them roti, and there is no one to listen to their problems, they will certainly take to the streets,” he added, warning that “the people of KP have reached a point where if they take to the streets tomorrow, nobody could be held responsible for it.”

Governor Kundi made these remarks after meeting KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi at the Governor House in Peshawar earlier in the day.

He urged the federal government to address key issues facing the province, including the suspension of CNG supply and restrictions on wheat movement.

“If Punjab has issues with supplying wheat to KP, then allow us passage to ensure supply from Sindh,” he said, adding that KP authorities had reportedly been told to transport wheat from Sindh “via Balochistan and not through Punjab.”

He said, as a representative of the Centre, he had engaged with all relevant stakeholders, including provincial ministers, to highlight these concerns.

On working relations with the PTI-led provincial government, the governor said he would extend cooperation “as long as it concerns peace, harmony and the issues of the province.”

He also said he had advised Chief Minister Afridi to focus on governance rather than political activities outside Adiala Jail, referring to PTI’s protests demanding the release of party founder Imran Khan.

“Who will be responsible for governing the province if you are sitting outside Adiala for five days of the week?” Kundi said, suggesting the KP chief minister should “hand over the Adiala issue to PTI and act as the CM instead.”

He remarked that there should be “two PTIs — one to focus on governance and one for Adiala.”

Earlier in the day, Governor Kundi had also said he conveyed to CM Afridi the need to prioritise governance over political agitation outside Adiala Jail, reiterating concerns about service delivery in the province.

In a post on X, he said his meeting with the chief minister at the Governor House focused on key governance gaps, including disruptions in essential supplies and public service systems.

Met with CM KP @SohailAfridiISF at Governor House and highlighted key governance gaps affecting the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including disruptions in essential supplies and public relief systems. Stressed that KP’s constitutional rights must be safeguarded and that the… pic.twitter.com/iPo5T24YSM

— Faisal Karim Kundi (@fkkundi) May 17, 2026

He stressed that the provincial government must take “immediate and practical steps” to improve service delivery and address public concerns.

Kundi also underscored the need to protect KP’s constitutional rights and ensure enhanced welfare and operational support for the provincial police.

The governor had earlier, on Friday, raised similar concerns, including the suspension of CNG supply, and alleged that the Centre was treating KP unfairly. He also termed restrictions on wheat movement a serious issue and said citizens should not be penalised for political choices.

On May 10, he met PTI leaders to discuss KP’s constitutional and economic rights, stressing the need for a stronger case before the federal government to ensure “justice and fair treatment.”

Since assuming office in October 2025, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has repeatedly accused the Centre of delaying funds for KP, particularly allocations under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award for merged districts.

The province has also faced a worsening CNG crisis in April that disrupted economic activity, with numerous filling stations closed and citizens struggling with fuel shortages.