ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has dismissed reports suggesting that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi is being replaced following the imposition of emergency measures in the province.
Speaking to the media in Islamabad, the federal minister described Kundi as an experienced politician and seasoned parliamentarian, saying there was no truth to reports of his removal.
Chaudhry said the governor held a meeting of Apex Committee right after he took charge of administrative affairs, further adding that rumours of his dismissal are baseless.
The minister also denied the rumors that the emergency measures in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been imposed for political purposes and said the only agenda of the government is to root out terrorism, bring peace and facilitate the development in the province.
Chaudhry said 12 districts involved in terrorism will be cleared from the terrorists and administration will be restored to the provincial government when the situation becomes normal.
The federal minister said that the government has a plan for addressing the issues of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and to make rapid progress in the province.
He further maintained that there would be no political interference in the province’s affairs, reiterating that the governor had assumed full control of the provincial government’s powers under the current arrangement.
On political dialogue, Chaudhry said the government’s doors remained open for meaningful negotiations. He added that the prime minister had personally expressed willingness to sit down with the opposition leader for talks.
The minister welcomed the prospect of negotiations, saying the government was ready to engage if the opposition was serious about holding purposeful discussions.
