KP Governor Kundi Says Governor’s Rule Discussed Ahead of PTI March
PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said on Friday that consultations had taken place over the possible imposition of governor’s rule in the province, as political tensions intensify ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s planned September 27 march towards Islamabad.
Kundi said Pakistan’s Constitution provides a mechanism for governor’s rule and indicated that the option had been discussed. His remarks, however, did not amount to an announcement that governor’s rule had been imposed or formally approved.
The statement marks a shift in tone from comments reported just a day earlier, when Kundi told The Express Tribune that speculation about governor’s rule was baseless and said there was neither a current need for it nor such a move under consideration.
That distinction is important as the political situation remains fluid.
Kundi Questions PTI’s March Preparations
Kundi also questioned PTI’s readiness for the September 27 mobilisation, claiming the party had made insufficient preparations for the march and that some of its members were seeking a way out of the confrontation. These are the governor’s political assessments rather than independently established facts.
PTI has publicly maintained that the march will proceed. The party says the mobilisation is aimed at securing the release of its imprisoned founder Imran Khan and pressing its demands concerning constitutional governance.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has defended the right to protest, describing peaceful demonstrations as a legal and constitutional right.
The contrasting positions have placed the PTI-led KP government and federal authorities on a collision course ahead of Sunday’s planned mobilisation.
Federal Minister Had Ruled Out Governor’s Rule
The possibility of governor’s rule has produced mixed signals from government figures in recent days.
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on September 22 that the federal government had no intention of imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the province needed improved governance rather than federal intervention.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, however, had previously said the federal government was consulting the Law Ministry about legal options available regarding the situation in KP.
Kundi’s latest statement confirms that the governor’s-rule option has at least been discussed, but available reporting does not establish that the federal government has made a final decision to pursue it.
Security Tightened Ahead of September 27
Authorities have meanwhile intensified security preparations ahead of PTI’s planned march.
The federal government has authorised the deployment of Pakistan Rangers in Islamabad and several Punjab districts from September 20 until October 5. According to an Interior Ministry notification reviewed by Geo News, Rangers have been deployed following requests from the Islamabad Capital Territory administration and Punjab government.
Punjab authorities have also sought restrictions on mobile and internet services in parts of Attock and Rawalpindi from September 27, while security measures have been increased around routes connecting KP with Islamabad.
The Islamabad High Court has separately ruled that political parties and leaders have no lawful right to occupy public roads, highways, interchanges, toll plazas or buildings in a way that obstructs citizens’ constitutional rights.
The court also directed provincial governments to ensure that official vehicles, machinery and other state resources are not used to facilitate marches towards Islamabad.
In compliance with those directions, KP Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah instructed provincial officials not to comply with orders compelling them to facilitate the march.
Talks Have Yet to Produce Breakthrough
Behind-the-scenes contacts between PTI and government authorities have also been reported, but they have not produced a breakthrough.
Sources familiar with the contacts told Geo News earlier this week that a significant trust deficit remained between the two sides. Authorities were reportedly seeking assurances against prolonged sit-ins and road blockades if concessions were considered.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said on Thursday that backchannel contacts with PTI leadership were continuing but maintained that formal talks could not take place unless the party postponed its march.
With the march scheduled for Sunday, September 27, the immediate political focus is now on whether negotiations can reduce tensions before PTI supporters attempt to move towards the federal capital.
For now, the constitutional position should be reported precisely: governor’s rule has not been imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Kundi says consultations have occurred over the option, while senior federal officials have recently issued differing public statements about whether such a step is being considered.
