Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi met at the Governor House in Peshawar on Sunday to discuss the prevailing security situation, political developments, and growing unrest amid speculations of imminent governor’s rule in the province.
Interior Minister Met KP Governor in Peshawar
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi traveled to Peshawar on Sunday to hold direct talks with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi at the Governor House. According to a statement issued by the Governor House, the discussions centered on provincial politics, the deteriorating law and order situation, and fallout from the PTI's Islamabad march. The meeting was also attended by the chief secretary and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police, Zulfikar Hameed, who briefed officials on the province’s security posture and uncertainty across multiple districts.
Security measures across the province remain elevated, with police personnel summoned from various districts to police lines under a newly established contingency plan. Governor Kundi emphasized during the discussions that the protection of local citizens remains the foremost priority for authorities. “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has sacrificed enough, and every institution must work together to protect our people and defeat terrorism,” the governor stated.
Did You Know? The high-level security consultation in Peshawar took place directly following the second round of government-opposition negotiations that ended in a deadlock on Saturday night, where the opposition refused to withdraw its October 4 long march unless granted access to jailed former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan.
Security Risks and Federal Concerns Over the Long March
During Sunday’s meeting, both Interior Minister Naqvi and Governor Kundi expressed alarm regarding what they termed the “risk of facilitating terrorists to safely cross security checkposts” during the PTI’s Islamabad march. The official statement released by the Governor House asserted that the provincial government’s attitude during preceding counterterrorism negotiations amounted to “enmity” toward the people and the province.
Both leaders also sharply criticized Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and provincial ministers for utilizing government helicopters and other official state resources for the march. The use of these assets was condemned as a “blatant violation” of Islamabad High Court verdicts. Interior Minister Naqvi previously accused Chief Minister Afridi of attempting to sabotage negotiations after the KP government allegedly withdrew from a written agreement and 72-hour implementation plan that covered counterterrorism measures, police act reconsiderations, and the condemnation of militant groups like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA).
Constitutional Provisions for Governor Rule and Emergency Measures
Speculation surrounding the imminent imposition of governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa intensified following Sunday’s discussions. According to the official statement from the Governor House, both Naqvi and Kundi agreed that whenever President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif deem it necessary to impose governor’s rule or an emergency to “save the province from terrorism and destruction, the Governor’s House will play a full constitutional role.”
A government source speaking anonymously to Dawn corroborated the seriousness of these deliberations, stating that the federal administration believes its demands for provincial counterterrorism cooperation are entirely rightful. The source claimed that because the opposition chose to abandon dialogue, the imposition of an emergency in the province has become imminent.
Leaders Discuss Security Concerns and March Risks in Peshawar
Who attended the high-level security meeting in Peshawar on Sunday?
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi met at the Governor House, joined by the provincial chief secretary and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfikar Hameed.
What specific concerns were raised regarding the PTI Islamabad march?
The leaders expressed concern over the risk of allowing terrorists to safely cross security checkpoints during the march. They also condemned Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and provincial ministers for using government helicopters and official resources, calling it a blatant violation of Islamabad High Court verdicts.
What commitments were reportedly discussed during the prior counterterrorism negotiations?
Negotiations involved proposals for the KP government to sign a written agreement covering counterterrorism measures, reconsidering the Police Act 2026, preventing militant safe havens, and condemning groups like the TTP and TTA.
Keep reading