Backdoor Consultations Underway on Imposing Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Reveals Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry
ISLAMABAD: Active backdoor talks and discussions are held on imposing Governor’s Rule in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) for the potential situation, while Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has confirmed that the instrument under the constitution is always on the table, in case the situation in the province continues to deteriorate.
The Federal Minister criticized the KP provincial administration on a current affairs television channel, saying the public is severely discontented with the administration on its performance and management of rampant security issues.
Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry spoke about the key highlights, which included:
Chaudhry said that the federal government is closely watching the governance vacuums and administrative paralysis in the province, and that the constitutional option of “Governor’s Rule” is explicitly outlined in the Constitution and can be called upon in the event of exigencies.
KP Leadership Criticism: Chaudhry criticized the provincial leadership for its failure to visit the graves of martyrs who laid down their lives in the struggle against terrorism. He noted that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has not been attending martyr’s funerals in the province to pay his respects.
Police Act Amendments: The Federal Minister has said that the provincial government is trying to force the Federal government into complying by changing the Police Act, noting that the appointment of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) is always a federal decision and that security coordination cannot be used for partisan political ends.
Position on Political Discussions and Long March.
Turning to the national political developments, Chaudhry pointed out that many senior opposition leaders such as Mahmood Khan Achachzai and Raja Nasir Abbas are aware of the state realities and while Achachzai has expressed willingness for dialogue with the government, division in the leadership of the PTI has remained a thorn in the flesh in realising it.
The Minister said that the government was ready for any protests and threats of similar protests in the future were not possible, as everyone had seen the results of the previous long marches which the PTI had announced would not happen on October 4 as well.