Governor's rule in KP being 'seriously considered': state minister

• State minister says KP govt failed in effective governance.
• KP govt does not maintain cohesion with federation: Malik
• KP info secretary rejects allegation of protecting drug cartels.
  

State Minister for Law Aqeel Malik on Sunday said that the federal government was "seriously pondering" over imposing a governor's rule in Khyber Pakhtnukhwa (KP), citing poor governance, terrorism and border situation with Afghanistan.

"The situation in KP is evident to everyone, given the cross-border terrorism and governance issues," he said while speaking on Geo News' programme "Naya Pakistan".

Malik said the federal government was evaluating the move in light of security and safety concerns, as well as national security priorities.

Criticising the provincial leadership, he said that KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and his team "badly failed" in ensuring effective governance and having a "workable situation" with the federation.

"They do not maintain coordination or cohesion with the federation," he added.

The state minister cautioned that the province appeared to be moving toward governor's rule, emphasising that such a measure was not unprecedented in Pakistan’s history.

Malik said that the governor's rule is imposed only in "cases of urgent necessity", adding that the current situation in KP "warranted such a step".

"The situation calls for a measure to ensure an administrative structure that can deliver benefits to its people," he added.

The minister said that the federal government could not leave the people of the province helpless.

On the procedure for imposing governor's rule, he said the president can take such a measure without waiting for advice from the provincial governor.

He added that the Constitution allows the governor's rule for an initial period of two months, which can be extended further if needed.

Malik noted that the federal government was considering the move in the light of the security situation, especially at the western border with Afghanistan.

KP Information Secretary Shafiq Jan, however, warned of a strong reaction to such an attempt by the Centre in the province.

Speaking exclusively to Geo News, he said that changing the governor was a discretionary authority of the federal government.

"If they want to impose governor's rule, they can do it today," he added.

Jan dismissed allegations made by Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, who earlier in the day accused the KP government of protecting "drug cartels".

"Prove that any of our political leaders have colluded with terrorists," he asked the federal government.

Kundi says no information regarding his replacement

The state minister's remarks about a governor's rule comes as reports emerged about plans for replacing Faisal Karim Kundi as the KP governor.

Five names have been proposed for the position, including three with a political background and two with a military background, sources told Geo News on Sunday.

Ex-KP chief ministers Amir Haider Khan Hoti and Pervaiz Khattak, and former interior minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao's names are under consideration, the sources said.

Furthermore, the sources also said that the proposed names also include Lieutenant General (retd) Khalid Rabbani and Lieutenant General (retd) Ghayur Mahmood.

Responding to the reports about his replacement, Kundi said he had no information regarding any move to replace him, adding that he would accept whatever decision the party makes.

He further said: "If the media itself starts appointing governors, then God help us."

Kundi, who is affiliated with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), took oath in May 2024 as the 36th KP governor, replacing his predecessor Haji Ghulam Ali, who was appointed to the said post back in 2022.