Minister of State for Law and Justice, Advocate Aqeel Malik, said on Sunday that the imposition of gubernatorial rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was being “seriously considered”, linking the need for this potential move to “security and governance issues” in the province.
Malik said this in Geographic news program ‘Naya Pakistan‘ where he was asked about the possibility of this measure and the government’s plans in this regard.
He said KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and his team had “failed miserably to achieve any kind of workable situation”. They also do not want to have any type of coordination or cohesion with the Center, nor do they act in areas where it was necessary, he added.
Given the situation, the governor’s government is now being “seriously considered,” he said, adding that it is a “constitutional measure” that is adopted in case of “absolute necessity.”
“And I think that the very situation in KP demands that measures be taken in this regard to ensure the presence of an administrative structure there.”
When asked if the government had taken the decision to impose governor’s rule in KP, Malik said the president had the authority to do so based on the advice of the prime minister under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution. “And the federal government is considering [this option].”
However, when it was pointed out that under Article 234 a governor could recommend the measure to the president while the federal government had little to do with it, the state minister said the governor’s recommendation was only one option.
“The president can also take this step alone […] whose approval must be subsequently taken by a joint session of [Parliament]” he said, adding that under the Constitution, the governor’s term could be imposed initially for two months and could then be extended further if necessary.
When asked if the governor’s rule would prevail after replacing the current KP governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Malik said the matter was at a “very nascent” stage.
Citing “reports”, he also accused the KP government of “planning to block routes and isolate the province” from the rest of the country.
Kundi ignores reports of possible elimination
Earlier today, KP Governor Kundi expressed ignorance over reports that he could be replaced and said he would “accept” his party’s decision in case of such a scenario.
The KP governor made this statement while speaking to journalists, who asked him for comments on his possible replacement.
When one of them said that “a total of six names” had emerged in connection with the matter, Kundi asked: “Where have they come to light?”
To that, the journalist said that they were being reported in the media.
“Now, if the media appoints the governor, may God have mercy on us,” Kundi replied.
When asked about a possible scenario for his dismissal, the governor said that he “will accept any decision of the party.”
Reports have been circulating in the media of late about Kundi’s possible dismissal, something the KP governor had earlier denied. Back then, he also said that he would “accept any decision taken by the Pakistan People’s Party leadership.”
Amid these reports, Kundi also last week asked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss matters related to KP, including the imposition of governor’s rule.
At the time, a source in the prime minister’s office said the prime minister expressed full confidence in Kundi and gave signals that the government had no intention of removing him.
The discussion on the occasion covered key administrative issues related to KP and the overall political situation of the country, during which Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Engineer Amir Muqam and Federal Minister for Public Affairs Rana Mubashir Iqbal were also present.
Among them, the issue of imposing governor’s rule in KP was debated, apparently due to a rigid posture from Chief Minister Sohail Afridi towards the Centre, the armed forces and the bureaucracy.
Governor Kundi also asked the Prime Minister to give KP’s due share in the next National Finance Commission Award.
