Governor rule in KP last resort: Bilawal

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday said that his party does not support governor rule but the option can be considered as a “last resort under limited circumstances” for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the light of the ongoing situation in the province, reports Geo News.

Reports of the imposition of a governor rule in KP surfaced after Governor Faisal Karim Kundi made a telephone call to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to inform him about the worsening law and order situation in the province, according to sources.

While the KP government “fails to restore peace and security” in the province, a rift between the provincial and federal government also arose following CM Ali Amin Gandapur’s proposal of bypassing the Centre and hold direct talks with Afghanistan to address terrorism concerns for lasting peace in the restive bordering regions.

The sources said that PM Shehbaz, after KP governor’s call resolved to take immediate steps with the federal interior minister and Kundi — who is a PPP leader — to ensure peace in KP.

“PPP generally not in favour of governor rule. There are very limited circumstances for it,” Bilawal said while speaking to journalists after attending the National Assembly session.

He said that the 18th Amendment to the Constitution made sure that if a governor rule is imposed anywhere, the provincial assembly has the authority to ensure it is not imposed for a longer period. Speaking about the unrest and increased terrorist activity in KP and Balochistan, the PPP chairman said that KP CM Gandapur is facing “hardships” in his own village.

“The Centre and provincial government have to deal with this situation together. For the first time, it is visible that its not just a question of national security but also there is a threat to the establishment of peace,” he said, while regretting that the matter is also being politicised.