LAHORE: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi says that shutting down Islamabad or Peshawar will not lead to the end of PTI founder Imran Khan’s sentence, warning that non-cooperation with federal institutions by the KP government may lead to the imposition of governor’s rule in the province.

“The PTI cannot end the jail term of its founder Imran Khan by attempting to forcibly shut down Islamabad or Peshawar. Protests and sit-ins cannot secure his release,” he said in reference to the opposition party’s multiple attempts to march on the federal capital and holding protests in Peshawar to put pressure on the authorities for Imran’s release.

Mr Kundi reiterated that Imran Khan, currently lodged in Adiala Jail, was enjoying VVIP facilities and that “Road blockades would not change his legal fate,” he declared, while talking to the media during a visit to the Sundas Foundation on Friday. “I don’t wish Imran Khan to be treated the way PTI leaders once desired for their opponents,” he recalled.

On the possibility of governor’s rule in KP, Kundi said it depended on the provincial government’s conduct. If the KP government cooperated with federal institutions, there would be no need for it; however, non-cooperation — particularly on the repatriation of Afghan refugees — could lead to such a step.

Says shutting down Islamabad, Peshawar can’t win Imran’s release; Afghan refugees can return legally

He added that the PTI had once advocated engagement with terrorists but the state would never negotiate with those who took up arms against it.

“No country allows Pakistanis to live without visas; the same rule applies here.”

The KP governor said Pakistan had provided solid evidence that Afghan soil was being used against it but Kabul was not taking the matter seriously. No foreigner would be allowed to stay in Pakistan without a visa, he said, adding that Afghan refugees could return legally. “All Afghans are not terrorists but a few elements are creating problems,” he clarified.

Mr Kundi said political dialogue was not possible without the PML-N, adding that talks with the PTI were welcome, though the party had earlier refused even to shake hands. He alleged that PTI was now attempting to bring in an ‘imported opposition’.

Referring to the PTI’s past rhetoric, he asked the party to clarify its stance on Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Mahmood Khan Achakzai, and questioned why aspirant Opposition Leader in the Senate Raja Nasir Abbas remained silent on alleged injustices in Kurram.

Criticising KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, the governor said the CM and the cabinet appeared to be operating from outside the Adiala Jail rather than governing the province.

“The real issue in KP is governance. There has been no visible development over the past two years, or even in the last 13 years,” he claimed, calling the province a hub of corruption.

On accountability, Mr Kundi said the era of selective accountability was over. He claimed that the recent actions proved that accountability applied to institutions as well, and would extend to the judiciary. He cited past judicial errors, including the execution of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the disqualification of Yusuf Raza Gilani.

Condemning the May 9 violence, he said no patriot could commit such acts. He urged appreciation of good governance wherever it existed, citing health services in Sindh and the continued success of the Benazir Income Support Programme, while lamenting that KP’s billion tree project was not being followed up.

Mr Kundi concluded by saying provinces delivering results for the public should be encouraged to help drive nationwide development.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2025