Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has directly challenged the federal government. He dared the authorities to impose governor’s rule in his province, stating his government is not afraid.
The PTI-backed chief minister made these remarks on Monday. His statement follows comments from State Minister for Law Aqeel Malik, who said the federal government was “seriously pondering” the constitutional move. CM Afridi dismissed the need for any alternative administration. “There is no need for any other rule in the province,” he asserted.
He also warned those enforcing policies behind closed doors. The chief minister urged them to consider the potential consequences of their actions. PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan addressed the media outside Parliament House. He expressed doubt about the likelihood of the governor’s rule being imposed.
“KP cannot bear the governor’s rule,” Khan stated. He added that the incumbent provincial government remains committed to eliminating terrorism from the region.
Read: KP CM Alleges Imran Khan Held in Isolation, Vows to Fight
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar offered a different perspective. He described the governor’s rule as a “constitutional option” available to every government. Taking a jab at the KP administration, Tarar said, “When governance is poor, such discussions begin.”
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, speaking in the National Assembly, affirmed the rule’s constitutional basis. He also criticised what he called unconstitutional acts, stating, “Using the government’s machinery to attack Islamabad is an unconstitutional act.”
Senator Faisal Vawda, a former ally of Imran Khan, also commented outside Parliament. He suggested that continued lawlessness could indeed lead to governor’s rule in KP. Vawda emphasised that Chief Minister Afridi must perform his duties responsibly. He expressed a preference for the current governor, Faisal Karim Kundi, to remain in place.
The senator warned that choosing any other candidate would not be a mere “political appointment.” He also advised the KP CM to focus on governance, cautioning that a single misstep could lead to disqualification following a high court order.
Vawda concluded by stating that the chief minister’s issues would find resolution through meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari. “President Asif Ali Zardari holds the key to every problem,” he added.
