Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Sunday chaired the first meeting of the KP Advisory Council, which was formed by the federal government following the imposition of an emergency and governor’s rule in the province.

At the outset of the meeting, all members of the council introduced themselves and their portfolios.

Addressing the meeting, Kundi congratulated the members of the council, while noting that they would have to face many challenges. He said that they would get a briefing on the portfolios they had been assigned and would get a few days to familiarise themselves.

“We have to fast-track things. There will be zero tolerance on corruption. Things should be done in a timely manner,” he said, adding that they would have to demonstrate a clear difference from the work done by their predecessors.

He said that the first order of business was the law and order situation, adding that there should be no hesitation in taking inspiration from the other provinces.

He said that the current situation was an “opportunity” as he called for building the province’s soft image.

“If we have peace, we will get tourists and investors. My support is with you. I am available for you 24/7,” he said.

Kundi then went on to read out a message for the people of the province, in which he said that due to “extraordinary circumstances”, “necessary measures” were taken under the Constitution.

He said that he would refrain from levelling allegations and political rhetoric.

“I have one message: peace, protection and stability have to be brought back to KP,” he said. He added that the people of KP had paid a huge price for the terrorism that plagued the province.

“The time has now come to give the people of the province, who have rendered these sacrifices, the right to peace. Our fight is against terrorism. Our fight is against the ideology and network which facilitates terrorism and weakens the implementation of the law,” he said.

He also said that Pakhtuns were not a cause of terrorism, but were the “biggest victims”. Therefore, the state had resolved that terrorism would be eliminated from KP and the people would be allowed to live their lives without fear.

“My first priority will be protecting the peace and the people. Right now, our biggest priority is taking effective steps against terrorism. For this, the capacity of the police and the Counter Terrorism Department will be increased,” he said.

He went on to say that another objective would be to cater to the people.

“Mere statements are not the real test of a government, rather the service it provides to the people,” he said. Kundi said that the council would focus on healthcare, education and employment.

The last objective, he said, would be to eliminate the whole ecosystem giving rise to terrorism in the province.

“We cannot solve the issue by just targeting terrorists. Those facilitating and financing … must be eliminated,” he said, adding that those involved in terrorism would be dealt with according to the law.

He assured the people of KP that the “extraordinary steps” taken were not meant to target a particular party or group. Kundi said that the main purpose was to ensure peace and security as he asked for their cooperation.