Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has warned the federal government of “big resistance” in erstwhile tribal regions – FATA and PATA – if the promises made to them before the merger to the province were not fulfilled.

“People will raise their voice if there will be no development or promises made to them [FATA] were not fulfilled,” he said in an interview with Aaj Exclusive aired on Aaj News on Sunday.

Kundi was asked about the protests in the erstwhile tribal areas. He mentioned that the government had vowed to give three per cent of the National Finance Commission (NFC) to such areas after the merger in 2018.

In 2018, the KP government notified such areas as merged districts. Last month, the provincial government feared that the imposition of taxes in the erstwhile federally and provincially administered tribal areas would cause industrial relocation and unemployment in the region, leading to the resurgence of militancy.

According to Kundi, taxation was another issue in such areas. The KP governor added that he has spoken to the prime minister to talk to all political parties, the business community, traders and the chamber of commerce to resolve the issue.

“If you don’t bring out a solution to the issue, then there will be resistance and we cannot afford it,” he said and added that he was fighting the issue in the Centre.

Kundi challenges Gandapur for debate

He reiterated his challenge to the KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur for a debate where the former would reveal how the latter came to power and his party won the election in the province amid concerns from the JUI-F.

Kundi claimed that he would present evidence to support his claims.

The KP governor advised the PTI to approach relevant foras to raise their issues as they claim elections were rigged.

He was of the view that the PTI was limited to a single province whereas the PPP was in all parts of the country.

When asked, Kundi said that he has received complaints related to check posts in some areas of the province where the “situation was not good.”

He added that it was the provincial government’s responsibility to maintain order. Kundi said that he would ask the federal government to assist the province in maintaining order if requested by the CM.

KP’s case

Kundi expressed his wish to present the province’s case to the prime minister. He said that he would approach political leaders and for a task force in this regard.

It would include the issue of pending funds for the province.

He lamented that the KP government has not been able to live up to its expectations over the years as the PTI did not increase the funds for education and did not renovate the Arbab Niaz Stadium for over seven years.