CHARSADDA: Newly-appointed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Alihassaid that the prime minister has appointed the new army chief ‘on merit’.

“Not only will the prime minister’s decision on the top military appointment increase the self-confidence of state institutions but it will automatically end the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s anti-government long march as well,” the governor told reporters after meeting the Awami National Party leadership at Wali Bagh here on Friday.

Mr Ali claimed that the people of all walks of life, including the business community, were happy with the top army appointment.

He said that the political parties, which were part of the Pakistan Democratic Movement government in the centre, were on the same page on the issues of national importance and were playing their due role in the country’s development.

Ghulam Ali meets ANP leadership in Wali Bagh

The governor said that he was the province’s constitutional head, so he would play his part in its development in that capacity.

He said that it was the job of his (JUI-F) party leaders to speak on political issues and not his.

“The governor doesn’t speak much,” he said.

Mr Ali said that he would try to have good relations with all political parties and promote the ‘politics of brotherhood and tolerance’ in the province.

He said that it was the constitutional right of the people to stage peaceful protests.

The governor said that he had visited Wali Bagh to thank the ANP leadership for supporting his nomination.

He was received by ANP provincial president Aimal Wali Khan, who later held a one-on-one meeting with the visitor.

The ANP leader congratulated him on assuming the office of the governor.

The two discussed matters of bilateral interest, especially those related to the province.

They vowed to jointly work for the protection of the rights of Pakhtuns.

ANP central finance secretary Senator Haji Hidayatullah Khan, provincial general secretary Sardar Hussain Babak, MPA Shakeel Bashir Khan Umarzai and other leaders were also present during the governor’s visit.

The governor later visited the Darul Uloom Islamia Charsadda and offered Fateha for the wife of JUI-F district emir Maulana Gohar Shah.

Published in Dawn, November 26th, 2022