Who has given refuge to terrorists in KP, Kundi asks

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday blasted the PTI government for worsening law and order situation in the province and questioned who was providing support to the terrorists.

“From where these terrorists have come? Who has provided refuge to them,” the governor questioned and said Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was responsible for the current state of affairs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

It represents a continuation of argument that some elements are extending ideological and logistic support to the terrorists who have managed to regain a foothold in some parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The latest statement comes amid the ongoing debate over whether a military operation should be conducted in the province to root out terrorism.

As the Centre is pushing for an operation, the PTI as well as nationalists like PTM are vehemently opposing it.

Imran Khan — the incarcerated PTI founder — has again urged Kundi not to allow the federal government to launch the much-awaited province.

Read more: Imran opposes military operation in erstwhile FATA yet again

Previously, Kundi said they would neither allow operation nor use of drones in the province, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had responded by saying that all available resources would be used against the terrorists.

Meanwhile, Naqvi didn’t stop there and even posed a question.

“How much money a top provincial official [officeholder] pays to the Taliban in Dera Ismail Khan every month.”

Gandapur is from Dera Ismail Khan — the southernmost district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

BACKTRACKING PRACTICE

On Monday, Kundi told a gathering in connection with the Police Martyrs Day that it was very unfortunate to see the poor situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — a province hit hard by extremism and terrorism for decades.

With the return of TTP [Khawarij], police became their first target as the terrorists attacking them, especially in merged districts and southern parts of the province.

Read more: Having the cup of tea in Kabul proved to be very costly: Dar

Meanwhile, Kundi remarked that Gandapur issues a statement one day but then disown it the very next day.

The chief minister presents too many demands, but has no idea about the future line of action, he added, a reference to Gandapur opposing the operation and insisting on dialogue but failing to provide an comprehensive long-term strategy.

About the deportation of Afghan nationals, he endorsed the move and said it was good see the unwanted [anti social and criminal] persons being removed from the country.