DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has stressed the need for effective coordination between the federal and provincial governments to address the deteriorating security situation in the province, saying the KP government alone may face difficulties in combating terrorism.

Speaking to a delegation of journalists here on Saturday, he said recent incidents in Hangu and Dera Ismail Khan had highlighted the seriousness of the security situation.

Mr Kundi said the federal and provincial governments needed to work together, recalling that during the Pakistan Peoples Party government from 2008 to 2013, coordination between the two governments had helped conduct ‘effective’ counter-terrorism operations in Swat.

“Without coordination between the Centre and the province, operations against terrorism will face difficulties,” he said, adding that all political parties and security institutions needed to work together for restoring peace in the province.

Claims PPP has evidence of irregularities in AJK elections

The governor opposed dialogue with groups that had taken up arms against the state and did not recognise the country’s Constitution and laws.

He questioned how groups claiming to be fighting for an Islamic system could justify attacks on mosques, imambargahs and educational institutions.

Mr Kundi said Pakistan had an opportunity to attract greater investment if peace was restored in KP. “If we bring peace to our province, no power in the world can stop us from turning it into a developed region,” he said.

The governor said the PPP was not a supporter of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government but stood with it on issues concerning state stability and democracy.

He said the party had chosen not to become part of the government or accept ministries, but had supported it where the interests of the state and democracy were involved.

Mr Kundi also criticised the federal and provincial governments over urban flooding following recent rains, saying the situation in major cities had exposed shortcomings in planning and drainage systems.

The governor also raised concerns over the role of federal ministers and the PML-N in the ongoing political activity surrounding elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

He said if the PML-N was genuinely serious about the Kashmir cause, political representation for AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan should be considered in the federal parliament.

Mr Kundi alleged that the PPP had evidence of irregularities affecting its candidates in the Kashmir elections and said the party would present the evidence before the relevant forums.

He criticised the involvement of federal ministers and the use of buses from Punjab in the election campaign, arguing that government resources should be transferred through institutional, government-to-government mechanisms rather than being presented as ‘political gifts’.

He said the PPP would welcome development projects in any part of the country, but stressed that such projects should be implemented through proper government procedures.

Referring to recent attacks in Manjhikhel and Hangu, Mr Kundi said terrorism was not confined to Dera Ismail Khan and Hangu, with security concerns also emerging in the southern districts, merged areas, Swat and Dir.

He called for intelligence-based operations across the province and said he would discuss the matter with the chief minister.

The governor said the KP government should address the police’s concerns and involve elected representatives and political parties in efforts to improve the security situation.

He maintained that issues involving the province’s financial and administrative interests, including the CNG and wheat issues, taxation in the Malakand division and funds owed by the federal government, should not be politicised.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2026