LOWER DIR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday accused the provincial government of failing to fulfil its responsibilities and alleged that the province had been “handed over to terrorists.”

Addressing a function held in Ternao area here to mark the third death anniversary of former provincial minister Bakht Baidar Khan, the governor lambasted the PTI government

in the province over “record corruption” and claimed Rs30 billion was embezzled from funds for the Sehat Card health insurance scheme, while the Kohistan financial scandal had also exposed corrupt practices of the ruling PTI.

Healleged that in the past, a prime minister, in collusion with an army general, had resettled terrorists in the province, causing unrest.

“Today, that [former] prime minister is behind bars, and the military general is being court-martialed,” he said.

The governor said he would take up the province’s issues with federal authorities and the prime minister.

He urged people to support the PPP, claiming that the future belongs to the party.

Mr Kundi accused Chief Minister Gandapur of “playing a double game,” by spending the daytime with party workers and the night with “his masters.”

He demanded strict punishment for those found involved in the May 9 riots to prevent repeat of such incidents.

PPP provincial president Mohammad Ali Shah Bacha also criticised the ruling PTI, claiming that the Malakand Division saw the most development during the PPP’s rule in the province.

He urged participants to repose trust in the party to put the region back on the path of progress.

Former PPP provincial president Humayun Khan asked party workers to convey the message of former prime ministers Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto for people’s development to everyone in the district.

He alleged that the PTI had misled youth through the slogans of socio-economic change, employment and shelters.

The other speakers paid tribute to late Bakht Baidar Khan’s political services and dedication to public welfare, saying he earned people’s trust through commitment to serving them without discrimination.

They expressed the hope that Khan’s son Naeemullah Khan would follow in his father’s footsteps.

The event, organised by the PPP’s Adenzai chapter, was attended by party workers from across Lower Dir as well as central and provincial leaders.

Noted among them were PPP secretary general Humayun Khan, provincial president Mohammad Ali Shah Bacha, former provincial president Najmuddin Khan, Bakht Baidar’s son Naeemullah Khan and other local leaders. Former MNAs and MPAs Mohammad Zamin, Malik Azmat Khan and Badshah Saleh, and PPP Lower Dir president Nawabzada Ahmad Zaib Khan were also present.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2025