Kundi vows zero tolerance for corruption, prioritises peace in KP

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has chaired the first meeting of the provincial Advisory Council following the federal government’s imposition of emergency measures and governor’s rule in the province.

Addressing the council on Sunday, Kundi urged its members to accelerate administrative work, ensure timely decisions and adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. He said the members would receive briefings on their respective portfolios and be given time to understand their responsibilities.

The governor stressed that the council must deliver visible improvements compared with the performance of previous administrations. He said maintaining law and order would be its immediate priority and encouraged members to learn from the experiences of other provinces.

Kundi described the prevailing situation as an opportunity to improve governance and strengthen the province’s image. He said lasting peace would help attract tourists and investors, creating opportunities for economic growth and development.

In his message to the people of KP, the governor said the extraordinary measures had been taken under the Constitution in response to exceptional circumstances. He avoided political accusations and rhetoric, stressing that restoring peace, security and stability would remain the central objective.

He acknowledged the sacrifices made by the people of the province in the fight against terrorism. He said Pakhtuns were not responsible for terrorism but had suffered greatly because of it. He added that the people deserved to live without fear and enjoy lasting peace.

The governor said the government would strengthen the capacity of the provincial police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) to improve security and tackle militant threats. He stressed that efforts must extend beyond targeting terrorists to dismantling the networks that facilitate, finance and support terrorism.

Kundi said all individuals involved in terrorism would be dealt with in accordance with the law. He emphasised that eliminating the wider ecosystem supporting militancy was essential for achieving lasting security in the province.

Alongside security measures, the Advisory Council would focus on improving healthcare, education and employment opportunities. Kundi said government performance should be judged by the services delivered to citizens rather than public statements.

He also assured the people that the extraordinary measures were not intended to target any particular political party or group. He said the primary objective was to restore peace, protect citizens and improve governance across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.