By Syed Tauqeer Zaidi
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi attended the Peace Festival in the underdeveloped riverine area of Jhok Obheecharr, Mauza Dhap, Dera Ismail Khan, as the chief guest, where he was given a warm welcome upon arrival.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Kundi congratulated the festival organiser, Pakistan Peoples Party district president Malik Farhan Afzal Dhap, and the management team on the successful event. He said such festivals were essential for restoring the positive image of the area and providing affordable entertainment to the public.
Speaking to the media, Kundi added that the participation of thousands of people in the Jashn-e-Dhap Festival was clear evidence that the public had rejected terrorism and embraced peace. He strongly criticised the past and present policies of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He said that despite 13 years in power, PTI had failed to provide even a single national stadium to the province and had limited its work to renaming old stadiums.
Faisal Kundi remarked that PTI was currently facing severe internal instability and had even failed to secure the positions of opposition leader in the National Assembly and the Senate. “How can those who seek chaos in the country engage in dialogue?” he asked. Referring to international articles written in support of the Field Marshal, he said that while the international community was ready to invest and do business in Pakistan, an anarchic group was determined to tarnish the image of the armed forces.
Governor Kundi stated that the struggle against those who did not accept Pakistan’s Constitution and the state would continue. He expressed concern over the involvement of Afghan nationals in recent terrorist incidents and emphasised that the nation must stand united with security forces, who were making visible and immense sacrifices.
Emphasising accountability, the governor said the country could not progress without an effective system of reward and punishment. He questioned why strict accountability could exist in the armed forces but not in other institutions and stressed the need to activate the National Accountability Bureau to eradicate corruption.
Recalling the sacrifice of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, he said that despite her martyrdom, the Pakistan Peoples Party had raised the slogan of “Pakistan Khappay” to save the country, whereas the current anarchic group had worsened the law and order situation. In response to a question, Governor Kundi said that the government of one province should respect the government of another. He announced that if the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa visited Sindh, full security would be provided. He added that the Chief Minister of Sindh had formally invited him and assured complete hospitality.
