PESHAWAR: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz provincial president Engineer Amir Muqam on Monday said that after the imposition of the governor’s rule and emergency, the law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would improve soon and people would begin to see progress in the province’s development.
Addressing a news conference here, Mr Muqam strongly criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), saying despite remaining in power in the province for the last 13 years, the party had failed to improve the lives of the people, while public problems continued to multiply.
He said the federal government had extended all possible cooperation to the provincial government and tried to resolve issues through dialogue but chief minister Sohail Afridi didn’t cooperate.
The minister said the imposition of governor’s rule in the province had become a compulsion for the federal government and that the step had been taken in accordance with the Constitution to restore peace, initiate development projects and rebuild public confidence.
He said he hoped that all institutions, under the governor’s leadership, would work in coordination to eliminate terrorism and focus on development schemes aimed at improving public welfare.
Mr Muqam said the people had welcomed the governor’s rule and distributed sweets.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was personally monitoring the process of change in the province and that serious efforts would be made to ensure development and improve living conditions in KP, bringing them closer to those in other developed parts of the country.
Criticising the PTI’s protest politics, Mr Muqam said the people had rejected that approach and didn’t step out for protests despite former chief minister Sohail Afridi’s calls.
He also welcomed what he described as a peaceful transfer of power following the imposition of the governor’s rule.
The minister termed the 11-member advisory council an experienced, capable and committed team, which, he said, will work for the province’s betterment.
He alleged that former chief minister Afridi had neither served the province effectively nor had he cooperated with the federal government and relevant institutions in the fight against terrorism.
Mr Muqam also accused the former chief minister of undermining the PTI’s talks with the federal government.
He said he had held meetings with the provincial governor, chief secretary and inspector general of police and that all roadblocks would be removed within a day or two to ensure the free movement of the people.
Expressing optimism about the province’s future, the minister said the era of alleged corruption and misappropriation had ended and that in the future, the decisions would be made on “merit”.
Asked why Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman wasn’t given an opportunity to play a role in the government-PTI negotiations, Mr Muqam said the JUI-F leader was free to offer his “services” or contribute in any way he wished.
Former senator Behramand Tangi and PML-N leader Rehmat Salam Khattak were also present on the occasion.
Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2026
