PESHAWAR, September 28: Political tensions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have intensified amid the deteriorating law and order situation, criticism of the provincial government’s performance, controversial legislation and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) announcement of a long march from Peshawar to Islamabad.

Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi, accompanied by senior parliamentarians, met Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam at his residence. Later, Amir Muqam held a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club in which he strongly criticized the provincial government and the PTI.

According to the Governor House spokesperson, the meeting discussed the law and order situation in the province, political instability and other important matters, while several proposals to address the situation were also considered.

Chairman of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence Sardar Fatehullah Khan Mian Khel, National Democratic Movement (NDM) chief and MNA Mohsin Dawar, Pakistan Peoples Party’s parliamentary leader in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Ahmed Karim Kundi, PML-N Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Secretary Rehmat Salam Khattak, MPA Sobia Khan and former senator Behramand Tangi also attended the meeting.

According to sources, the participants also discussed the law and order situation, controversial legislation by the provincial government, the situation arising from the announcement of the PTI’s long march from Peshawar to Islamabad, and the future strategy in this regard.

The participants expressed serious concern over the deteriorating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and discussed possible political and administrative measures in view of the prevailing circumstances.

Speaking at the Peshawar Press Club after the meeting, Amir Muqam launched a strong criticism of the provincial government, saying the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had completely failed and that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and his party no longer enjoyed public support.

The federal minister accused the chief minister of corruption and misleading the public, alleging that “a market of corruption” had been created in the province and that Sohail Afridi would soon have to face the law. He further alleged that the chief minister remained engaged in political activities from morning till night instead of giving adequate attention to provincial affairs.

Amir Muqam said the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s hospitals and schools was extremely poor, while ordinary citizens and law-enforcement personnel continued to make sacrifices amid terrorism. He urged the people to question the provincial government about their rights and performance.

On negotiations, the federal minister said the federal government was ready for talks, but there would be no discussion on the release of the PTI founder. He said the PTI founder had been convicted by the courts and that his release was not within the government’s authority, adding that any release could only take place through the courts.

“Negotiations have a procedure,” Amir Muqam said, arguing that the entire dialogue could not revolve around the release of one prisoner. He reiterated that the government was ready for talks but would not negotiate over the release of the PTI founder.

Commenting on the proposed Peshawar-Islamabad long march, Amir Muqam criticized PTI’s claims regarding the expected turnout. He said the PTI had claimed that four million people would participate but postponed the march at the eleventh hour. He claimed that the party could not even bring out thousands of people and alleged that its political activities were causing difficulties for ordinary citizens.

Referring to the events of May 9 and November 26, he alleged that similar planning was being carried out again.

Amir Muqam also accused the PTI of allegedly facilitating the resettlement of militants and claimed that the party was still seeking their return and settlement. He questioned why PTI leaders were continuing political activities across the country despite the security situation, while leaders of other political parties had faced and continued to face attacks.

The federal minister said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was facing severe terrorism, with civilians and security personnel making sacrifices, but alleged that the provincial government had failed to formulate an effective strategy to deal with the law and order crisis.

Asked about the possibility of Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Amir Muqam said the Constitution and law provided for such a measure and that all constitutional and legal requirements had been fulfilled.

He, however, said that no decision had so far been taken on imposing Governor’s Rule.

The remarks came amid heightened political tensions between the federal and provincial governments over law and order, the proposed long march, provincial legislation and the performance of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

The meeting between Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Amir Muqam, followed by the federal minister’s press conference, has brought the issue of possible constitutional and political measures in the province into sharper focus.