Peshawar (The COW News Digital)Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi held an important meeting at the Governor House in Peshawar on Sunday, with the security situation, political developments and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) long march among the key issues discussed.
The meeting took place as political tensions intensified in the province following the failure of talks between the federal government and the opposition. The PTI has proceeded with its planned long march, while the federal government has continued consultations over the political and security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to a report published by Mashriq TV, the two officials expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the province and discussed various security challenges associated with the long march.
The meeting also included discussion of concerns that militant groups could potentially exploit the situation surrounding the march. The participants reportedly considered the possibility that terrorists could receive assistance in passing through security checkpoints during the movement.
The two sides also discussed the provincial government’s position on counterterrorism operations during recent negotiations between the federal government and the opposition. According to the report, concerns were raised over what participants described as a change in the provincial government’s position after an understanding had reportedly been reached on several issues.
The meeting comes shortly after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said negotiations between the government and opposition had collapsed. Naqvi accused KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi of undermining the talks, while the PTI has maintained its position on the long march.
Another issue discussed during the meeting was the reported use of official resources for the long march. According to the Mashriq TV report, the participants discussed allegations concerning the use of a government helicopter and other state resources by the KP chief minister and provincial ministers in connection with the political activity.
The issue was reportedly considered in the context of directions from the Islamabad High Court concerning the use of government machinery and resources for political protests.
The meeting also covered broader constitutional and administrative options for dealing with the province’s security and political situation. Governor Kundi has previously warned that Governor’s Rule could become an option if law and order deteriorates significantly.
According to the report, the participants agreed that if the President and Prime Minister determine that imposing Governor’s Rule or an emergency is necessary to protect Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from further terrorism and destruction, the Governor House would play its constitutional role.
The discussion comes against the backdrop of increasing debate in Islamabad over possible constitutional measures in KP. Earlier consultations between the federal leadership also considered emergency and Governor’s Rule as possible options, although the government had initially prioritised dialogue with the opposition.
On October 4, Governor Kundi separately said that an emergency could be imposed if necessary to protect the province. His comments came as the PTI’s planned long march got underway and political tensions between the provincial and federal governments remained high.
The security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has remained a major point of concern for federal and provincial authorities, particularly amid reports of militant attacks and the ongoing political confrontation.
The federal government and PTI have presented different positions on the causes of the province’s security challenges and the appropriate response. While federal officials have called for stronger counterterrorism measures, the PTI-led provincial government has raised objections to aspects of the federal government’s security policy.
The latest meeting between Naqvi and Kundi therefore carries significance as the federal government monitors developments surrounding the long march and assesses its constitutional and administrative options.
For now, no formal decision to impose Governor’s Rule or an emergency has been announced as a result of the meeting. Any such measure would require the relevant constitutional process and decisions by the competent authorities.
The situation remains fluid, with political negotiations having failed to produce an agreement and the PTI continuing its mobilisation. Further developments regarding the long march, security conditions and consultations between the federal and provincial authorities are expected to determine the next course of action.
