Amid growing concerns over rising militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday issued a firm warning to anti-state elements, declaring that any challenge to the state’s writ will be dealt with decisively.
Speaking at a ceremony held at the Red Crescent District Office in Kanju Township, Swat, where he formally inaugurated a new Emergency Rescue Service, the governor underscored the need for stability and preparedness in a region once heavily scarred by terrorism.
He acknowledged the recent tragic incident in Swat where lives were lost due to the unavailability of timely rescue operations, calling it a painful reminder of the human cost of inadequate emergency response, and laying blame on the provincial government for negligence.
“Those who test the writ of the state will face a firm response,” the Governor warned, referring to the resurgence of terrorism in the merged districts and the potential threat to peace in Swat and beyond.
The newly launched rescue service, part of a broader humanitarian initiative, includes three fully equipped ambulances and rapid response tools such as rescue boats, oxygen kits, stretchers, fire extinguishers, life jackets, and emergency communication equipment. Officials said the service will prove crucial in responding to natural disasters like floods, but also in future emergencies potentially caused by terror attacks or conflict-related situations.
Governor Kundi distributed relief goods, including tents, blankets, and kitchen sets, to flood-affected families and handed out certificates to trained Red Crescent volunteers. He praised the bravery of Muhammad Hilal, a local resident who risked his life to rescue people from the Swat River without any institutional support.
He also took aim at the issue of encroachments, questioning why no action had been taken against those who allowed them in the first place.
Touching on the broader vision for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Governor Kundi emphasized that tourism, religious harmony, and development are only possible in a secure and terror-free environment.
He commended the Red Crescent Society for its humanitarian outreach and reaffirmed his commitment to expanding free ambulance services across the province, following its launch in Peshawar and now Swat.
