Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has challenged Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to cross Swabi as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march advances through the province, escalating an already tense political confrontation over the planned march, security concerns, and threats to surround the Governor House in Peshawar.
“If you have the courage, cross Swabi tomorrow,” Kundi said during a press conference, warning PTI leaders against attempting actions similar to the May 9, 2023, violence. “You did May 9, and we know how to deal with you,” he added.
The PTI long march, which began on October 4, travelled through Lakki Marwat, Karak, Kohat, Matani, and Khyber before reaching Peshawar late at night. Under the party’s revised plan, participants are expected to move towards Charsadda, followed by Mardan, Swabi, and Malakand. A further course of action is expected to be announced by October 12.
Responding to threats of protests and a possible siege of the Governor House, Kundi said those threatening to surround the building would be dealt with accordingly. He asserted that he knew how to defend the Governor House and challenged his political opponents to come forward rather than remain out of public view.
“Where will you hide now, in Peshawar?” he asked, adding that attempts to repeat the May 9 events would carry consequences.
The governor also issued a pointed warning to those planning to march towards Swabi, saying they would face a strong response if they attempted to advance. He described the opposition’s long march as a “Lucky Irani Circus” and said its organizers would be taught a lesson they would remember.
Kundi also criticized the provincial government’s handling of public affairs, pointing to protests by teachers, doctors, and local government representatives. He argued that the government should focus on the problems facing residents instead of concentrating its efforts on political confrontation and a march towards Islamabad.
Questioning the provincial administration’s ability to maintain law and order, the governor asked how it could protect the public if it could not even safeguard its own ministers. He also alleged that senior PTI leaders were staying inside their homes while the chief minister was leading the province.
“If a chief minister cannot even get an SHO to listen to him, he should resign,” Kundi said, accusing Afridi of occupying the office merely to make money.
Governor Accuses KP Government of Neglecting Security
Kundi said no province could function effectively without cooperation from the federal government and urged the provincial administration to communicate its administrative difficulties to Islamabad rather than complain that its concerns were being ignored.
He alleged that terrorist attacks were occurring almost daily in the province’s southern districts, yet the provincial government was not even condemning these incidents adequately.
“My province is burning, and these people are enjoying themselves,” he said, accusing the PTI government of attempting to turn the police into a political “Tiger Force” while focusing on advancing towards Islamabad.
The governor reiterated that protecting the province and fighting terrorism were priorities, vowing that the government would continue its efforts against terrorist threats. He also criticized the provincial leadership’s administrative performance and said those he considered incompetent would be taught how to run the province.
Kundi said he believed in practical action rather than dialogue alone and challenged his political opponents to bring their leaders into the open.
Allegations Over Kabul’s Influence
The governor also accused the provincial government of taking policy direction from Kabul and Jalalabad, arguing that more effective measures were needed to counter terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Advising his critics to read the Constitution, Kundi said he would convene meetings on security matters whenever necessary. His remarks came amid growing political friction over the PTI march, the possibility of its participants advancing towards Swabi, and the province’s deteriorating security environment.
Kundi has previously opposed the long march, citing terrorism threats and law-and-order concerns. The march and the province’s security situation were also discussed during his October 4 meeting with Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, when the constitutional possibilities of imposing governor’s rule or an emergency were also raised.
The confrontation underscores the growing overlap between political mobilization and security concerns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the provincial government and the governor continue to exchange accusations over governance, public safety, and responsibility for the province’s challenges.
