PESHAWAR: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi held a meeting at Governor House in Peshawar, discussing the province’s security situation, political developments and other matters of importance.
The meeting reviewed ongoing law and order challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and measures being taken to counter terrorism. According to sources, concerns were also raised over the possibility of alleged facilitation to allow terrorists to cross security checkpoints during the ongoing long march.
According to a statement issued after the meeting, the provincial government’s approach toward counterterrorism operations was described as contrary to the interests of the province. The statement also accused the provincial government of repeatedly changing its position, showing stubbornness and acting irresponsibly.
The meeting also expressed concern over the alleged use of the official provincial helicopter during the long march, describing it as a violation of an Islamabad High Court ruling.
The participants further discussed the possibility of imposing governor’s rule or an emergency if such measures became necessary to protect the province. In such a situation, the Governor House would play its constitutional role, according to the statement.
The meeting was attended by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa inspector general of police, chief secretary and commandant of the Federal Constabulary.
KP CM Derailed Talks, Long Marchers Won’t Be Spared: Naqvi
Earlier, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced the end of negotiations with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying talks could not continue once the party’s long march towards Islamabad began.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been briefed on the situation. He accused Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi of attempting to derail the negotiations.
Naqvi said a draft agreement had been finalised after discussions with PTI representatives, but claimed that Afridi later rejected the draft and introduced changes to the final agreement.
He praised PTI representatives Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja, Amir Dogar and Nasir Abbas for what he described as their sincere participation in the talks. However, he questioned why Afridi had not joined the negotiations if he was to make the final decisions.
The minister said the talks involved two separate agreements — one concerning opposition parties and another focused on counterterrorism measures.
Naqvi alleged that “somewhere” in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, terrorists were receiving support, and stressed that the issue under discussion was terrorism rather than politics. He said the federal government wanted the KP government to cooperate in the fight against terrorism.
He claimed that Asad Qaiser had expressed support for all points concerning Pakistan and that the federal side had sought to bring the KP government on board.
Naqvi said the government had not asked PTI to postpone its long march and reiterated that negotiations would not continue once the march began.
He warned that the government would not allow a repeat of the events of May 9, saying those responsible for the march would face action. He also held Afridi responsible for the collapse of the negotiations and said he would be responsible if any loss of life occurred.
The interior minister further criticised the KP chief minister for making statements against the military while, he said, the province was facing a war-like security situation.
Naqvi warned that anyone entering Islamabad in violation of court orders would face legal consequences, saying the government would bring an end to repeated attempts to march on the capital.
He said those participating in the long march would not be spared and indicated that federal authorities would also take action in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Naqvi said the government would now implement whatever decision was taken by the president and prime minister.
