DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Sunday complained about “widespread corruption” in the PTI-led provincial government and raised concerns about the use of funds allocated for counter-terrorism efforts.

“The prime minister has declared that Rs700 billion was given away to our province for fighting terrorism, so the people of the province want to know how and where those funds were utilised,” the governor told reporters at ‘Kundi Model Farm’ here on the second day of Eidul Azha.

Mr Kundi alleged that the province was in the “control of corrupt elements” and that the provincial government was deliberately obstructing federal development projects.

He also accused the provincial government of mismanaging public funds and alleged rampant corruption during wheat procurement and in hospitals and town municipal administrations.

“Fifty billion rupees were looted from a single district, and this money is being transferred abroad,” he alleged. The governor also criticised the provincial government for allegedly blocking federal projects like the Chashma Lift Canal and Dera Ismail Khan International Airport.

He, however, said that despite hurdles, those projects would be inaugurated soon.

Mr Kundi said that the “drone strike” in Waziristan was initially blamed on state institutions but the allegation was found to be false.

Referring to a recent ceremony at the Aiwan-i-Sadr in honour of Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, the governor noted that representatives of all major political parties were present except one, a move that showed its political intolerance and undermined national unity.

He said that a high-level delegation led by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was on an official tour to the United States and other countries.

“Bilawal’s international engagements have revived the legacy of his grandfather, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and mother Benazir Bhutto, proving once again that the Bhutto family has always played a vital role in defending the country’s interests globally,” he said.

Mr Kundi also said that he met with President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed major issues, including financial scandals and the deteriorating law and order situation in the province.

TRIBAL JIRGA: Governor Kundi also called for the formation of a joint tribal jirga representing all merged tribal districts to amicably and permanently resolve issues of residents.

He was addressing a ceremony organised in his honour by the Mehsud Jirga to express gratitude for the safe recovery of Atta Mohammad Mehsud, a local youth who had gone missing in Sindh and was recovered.

The governor urged tribal leaders to ensure unity for resolving their problems, saying only the people of the merged districts could effectively present their case to the federal government and other relevant forums.

“You should put your heads together and form a joint jirga to provide a prosperous future to your youngsters, as no one else would come from outside to resolve your problems,” he said.

The governor warned that the continued neglect of tribal districts could have a spillover effect on neighbouring regions.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2025