Kundi claims PPP will form next govt in KP

MANSEHRA: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said on Sunday that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would form the next provincial government, while accusing the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) administration of failing to curb corruption and militancy.

Addressing a public gathering in the Lassan Thakral area of Mansehra, Mr Kundi said the PTI government had not resolved key problems faced by people in the province. He criticised PTI lawmakers, saying they were focused on demanding the release of their party founder while continuing to enjoy the benefits of office.

“This Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government has failed to address the issues of corruption and militancy faced by the people of the province. Its lawmakers, from top to bottom, merely raise slogans for the release of their founding chairman while enjoying the privileges of power and prolonging their rule,” he said.

The governor also claimed that PTI legislators were divided over important government positions, including the office of the chief minister, and said those disputes had further exposed what he described as corruption in the provincial setup. He said voters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were increasingly aware of the provincial government’s weaknesses and would respond in the next elections.

Referring to PTI’s years in power, Mr Kundi alleged that the party had failed to fulfil its commitments and had not delivered effective governance or public services across the province. He said residents of the militancy-affected province had suffered because of corruption, weak governance and favouritism during the PTI’s 13 years in office.

PPP stance on provincial rights

Mr Kundi said the PPP would continue to defend the rights of the country’s federating units. Referring to Article 158 of the Constitution, he said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had priority rights over their natural resources.

He said the federal government should ensure uninterrupted natural gas supply to the people of the province and added that his party would raise the issue on every available forum.

Comments on party position and foreign affairs

The governor said the PPP had performed well in Gilgit-Baltistan because of public confidence in the party’s policies. He also described the PPP as the country’s only truly federal party and said Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had presented a positive image of Pakistan during visits to Europe and other parts of the world.

Mr Kundi further claimed that the United States and Iran were moving towards a ceasefire arrangement due to what he described as the efforts and sincerity of the federal government.

Earlier in the day, the governor inaugurated a free medical camp organised by a non-governmental organisation in the Lassan Thakral area as chief guest.