Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has called for legislation that would allow the provincial assembly to impeach the governor, accusing Governor Faisal Karim Kundi of violating constitutional boundaries.
Speaking after Kundi held a meeting with the KP chief secretary and provincial police chief on the security situation, Afridi said the provincial government would continue to follow the Constitution and the law. He directed the chief secretary and police chief not to comply with any order they considered unconstitutional or illegal.
KP Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhel told the provincial cabinet that under Article 131 of the Constitution, the governor could seek information from the chief minister but could not independently exercise certain powers. Afridi also ordered the police chief to investigate firing on PTI workers in Upper South Waziristan.
Meanwhile, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said an emergency or governor’s rule could be imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa if the prime minister and president considered it necessary to address the security situation. He referred to previous precedents for imposing such measures.
The disagreement comes amid continuing debate over counterterrorism policy in the province. Afridi reiterated his opposition to further military operations in KP and argued that the federal government’s existing approach had not produced the desired security results. He said his administration had strengthened the police, Counter-Terrorism Department and Special Branch since taking office.
Afridi also raised concerns about compensation for people displaced by previous military operations. He claimed that significant compensation remained outstanding and said some displaced families had not received promised payments.
The chief minister said KP could restore peace within 100 days if a different counterterrorism approach was adopted, but this was presented as his political claim rather than an independently established outcome.
Later, Afridi joined PTI march supporters in Bara and addressed participants travelling towards Peshawar. He said the future strategy of the march would be announced after reaching Swabi and again opposed further military operations in the province.
The KP cabinet also approved forwarding a provincial assembly resolution to the federal government concerning an alleged incident involving the chief minister during a visit to Punjab. The cabinet additionally approved obtaining $250 million in World Bank financing for the READY-KP project.
KP CM Sohail Afridi Seeks Law to Impeach Governor, Rejects Further Military Operations
