Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has said that Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan must return to their country, stressing that the federal and provincial governments share the same policy on undocumented Afghan residents.
Addressing a doctors’ event in Peshawar, Kundi said Afghan nationals wishing to enter Pakistan must obtain valid visas and that no foreign national could be allowed to remain in the country without legal documentation.
Turning to healthcare, the governor said improving medical facilities was a provincial priority and pledged steps to address shortcomings in the health sector. He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa needed to upgrade its healthcare services and infrastructure to bring them closer to standards in Punjab and Sindh.
Kundi also described the monthly salary of Rs70,000 for house officers as inadequate and said it would be reviewed. He stressed the need to harness young people’s potential and provide them with opportunities to advance their careers.
His remarks come after the Young Doctors Association (YDA) and house officers at public hospitals in the province staged protests demanding a 30 per cent increase in salaries. The protests were called off following assurances given by the governor last month.
Kundi also criticized the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) provincial government, claiming it had not constructed any new hospitals during its tenure. He said beneficial initiatives introduced by previous governments should continue, while public services should be strengthened through accountability and an effective performance-based reward system.
On governance and municipal issues, the governor said there would be no compromise on the removal of illegal encroachments and that action would be taken against those violating the law.
Addressing electricity shortages, he urged consumers to pay their bills regularly, saying public cooperation was also necessary to help end load-shedding.
The governor also expressed concern that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was not receiving its due share of resources from the federal government and called for the situation to change.
He pledged to create a favorable environment for investment in the province and said investors would be provided with all possible facilities.
Kundi said the province’s progress depended on improving public services, developing its infrastructure and enabling young people to contribute to a more prosperous future.
