LAHORE: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi claims political leader upset over denial of KP governorship, alleging that the head of a political party is also unhappy over being denied a role in the province’s new administrative setup following the imposition of governor’s rule.
Speaking informally to journalists in Lahore on Friday, Naqvi did not identify the politician but claimed that the leader had relied on the establishment’s support for decades to sustain his political career.
“Such was his situation that even the air tickets for his political party were arranged by the establishment,” Naqvi alleged.
The interior minister said politicians who had benefited from such support should not now criticise others. He added that political differences should be expressed through arguments and facts rather than inappropriate language and accusations.
Political Leader Upset Over Denial of KP Governorship and Role in New Setup
Naqvi’s remarks came amid political tensions following the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which effectively sidelined the PTI-led provincial government.
President Asif Ali Zardari approved the move on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution, following recommendations from the federal cabinet and reports concerning the province’s law-and-order situation.
Under the new arrangement, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi is to exercise the functions of the provincial government on behalf of the federation, assisted by an 11-member advisory council. Parliament is to exercise the legislative powers of the provincial assembly for the duration of the emergency.
Naqvi Questions Political Leaders Over Former FATA Resources
The interior minister also questioned political leaders who have recently raised concerns over the allocation of resources to the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
He asked why these leaders had remained silent for years when, according to him, the former tribal districts were not receiving their due share of resources.
Naqvi stressed that the rights and resource allocation of the people of the former tribal districts should remain above political interests.
Addressing the security situation, he said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was facing serious challenges and urged political leaders to support efforts to restore peace and eliminate terrorism rather than deepen political divisions.
“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa needs peace, stability and collective efforts, not political confrontation,” Naqvi said.
Khawaja Asif Says Critics Wanted Positions in New Setup
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also criticised opponents of the emergency and governor’s rule, claiming that some political leaders had sought positions in the new administrative arrangement but were disappointed when they were not accommodated.
Speaking on Geo News’ programme Naya Pakistan, Asif said those who failed to secure roles in the new setup were now making statements that, in his view, were harming the province.
Referring to the political landscape during former president Pervez Musharraf’s rule, Asif recalled that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had served as opposition leader while the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) was in government.
He said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had sought the opposition leadership at the time but had not secured it.
Asif also referred to Fazlur Rehman’s past political alignment with the government, saying he had been an ally during a one-year period approximately two and a half years earlier.
The defence minister further questioned whether PTI and JUI-F leaders had publicly stood with security personnel killed in the fight against terrorism, alleging that their participation in the funerals of fallen personnel had been lacking.
Maryam Nawaz Criticises Fazlur Rehman Over KP Stance
Separately, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz criticised JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over his position on the political situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Maryam said she had not expected a senior politician who had himself been a victim of terrorism to support those she accused of backing terrorism.
She also criticised Fazlur Rehman’s remarks concerning the army chief, saying they had hurt the feelings of patriotic Pakistanis.
The Punjab chief minister praised the sacrifices of Pakistan Army officers and soldiers in the fight against terrorism, emphasising their role in protecting the country.
The statements by the government figures come amid heightened political tensions over the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, alongside continuing concerns about security and the distribution of resources in the province.
