PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday stressed the need for greater investment in the information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors because the future belongs to them.

He stated this while addressing a ceremony at the National Incubation Centre (NIC) Peshawar.

Mr Kundi said the province’s youth possessed immense talent but had not received the level of investment they deserved, adding that all stakeholders must work together to ensure the development and prosperity of young people.

NIC Project Director Asim Ishaq Khan, entrepreneurs, youth and representatives from the business community were in attendance, according to a statement issued from the governor’s office.

Mr Kundi said that national incubation centres should also be established in the southern and northern districts to expand opportunities for young innovators, and proposed the development of a digital application to connect youth with companies and employment opportunities across the province.

He said KP had the largest youth population among the four provinces, adding that stronger coordination between the provincial government and banks was necessary to facilitate investment in youth-led initiatives.

Mr Kundi emphasised the need for establishing modern IT laboratories and providing advanced training in IT to equip young people with future-ready skills.

Later, talking to the media, the governor said every political party had the democratic right to hold public gatherings within the framework of the law, but maintained that the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium should be reserved exclusively for sporting activities rather than political rallies.

He said alternative venues were available for political meetings and stressed the need to protect the stadium, which had been completed after many years, for the promotion of sports.

Commenting on governance issues, he said he did not support the outsourcing of public institutions, although proposals could be considered if a competent company was capable of improving the performance of an institution.

He also stated that the recent rainfall had exposed the administrative claims made both in Lahore and Peshawar, adding that the opposition had every right to criticise government decisions.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026

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