KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi criticises Governor Faisal Karim Kundi’s security meeting, calling it unconstitutional and alleging a threat to provincial autonomy.
WEB DESK: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of seeking to create “another East Pakistan” in the province, escalating a political dispute over Governor Faisal Karim Kundi’s recent security meeting.
Afridi made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing a provincial cabinet meeting in Peshawar, a day after Kundi chaired a high-level meeting with senior provincial officials to review the security situation in KP.
The chief minister described the governor’s meeting as unconstitutional and alleged that it was intended to provoke the provincial government.
Afridi Criticises Governor Kundi
Afridi said the KP government, provincial assembly and cabinet were fully functional and argued that the governor should not summon senior provincial officials for meetings concerning matters under the elected government’s authority.
He urged the chief secretary and inspector general of police not to comply with what he described as unconstitutional or illegal orders unless issued through the provincial government.
The chief minister also advised PTI workers to remain peaceful and follow the law and Constitution.
Afridi then turned his criticism toward Kundi’s political party, the PPP.
He referred to the 1971 separation of East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, and accused PPP leaders of seeking to repeat such a situation in Pakistan. He specifically alleged that President Asif Ali Zardari intended to create “another East Pakistan” in the country.
These were political allegations made by Afridi and were not independently established as facts.
Kundi’s Security Meeting
The dispute followed a security meeting chaired by Governor Kundi on October 6.
According to the Governor House, the meeting reviewed KP’s overall security situation, counterterrorism measures, public order and crime.
It was attended by Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed, senior Home Department officials, intelligence representatives and senior police officers.
Kundi called for stronger operational capacity for the police, Counter Terrorism Department and other law-enforcement agencies.
Officials briefed him on security conditions, policing challenges, procurement of modern weapons, manpower shortages and infrastructure requirements. The meeting also discussed protest activities and the planned PTI long march in the province.
Political Tensions Escalate
The confrontation comes amid heightened political tensions in KP as the PTI-led provincial government continues its long march toward Islamabad.
The federal government and PPP have raised concerns about security and counterterrorism measures in the province, while the KP government has rejected what it describes as interference in its constitutional authority.
Earlier, Kundi and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi discussed the province’s security and political situation, including the possibility of governor’s rule or an emergency if deemed necessary to protect the province from terrorism and destruction.
Kundi has separately said the PTI long march should not be allowed to proceed beyond Attock, while the PTI has continued its mobilisation.
Afridi Calls for Policy Change
Afridi also criticised the federal government’s counterterrorism policy, arguing that the approach has failed to restore lasting peace in KP.
He said the provincial government was committed to strengthening the police, Counter Terrorism Department and Special Branch.
The chief minister called for a change in counterterrorism policy and claimed that KP could improve its security situation within 100 days if the policies supported by provincial stakeholders were followed. These claims reflect the KP government’s position and have not been independently verified.
The latest exchange adds to growing tensions between the KP government, the federal administration and the PPP, as political disagreements increasingly overlap with questions surrounding security, provincial authority and the ongoing PTI long march.
