KP experiencing excessive power, gas loadshedding: governor

PESHAWAR: Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said on Wednesday that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was experiencing excessive loadshedding of electricity and gas despite generation and production of huge quantities of hydropower, gas and oil in the province.

Addressing lawyers at the Peshawar High Court, he expressed concern that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s resources were being allocated to other regions, while the province was not receiving its fair share.

The governor said that the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which granted provincial autonomy, was a significant achievement, but it was not implemented in letter and spirit.

He lamented that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was granted only a one percent increase in the National Finance Commission Award, while the promised three percent funds for the merged districts had yet to be provided.

About the law and order situation, the governor expressed concern over the deteriorating security in the southern districts. He said that a lawyer was abducted in broad daylight in Dera Ismail Khan, yet no action was taken.

He also pointed out that weapons left behind by superpowers in Afghanistan were negatively impacting the peace in the region.

He stressed the need for opening the province’s borders and utilizing its resources efficiently could lead to rapid development in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He also said that no savior would come from Punjab or Gilgit and urged the people of the province to unite and fight for their rights.

Acknowledging the contributions of the legal fraternity, he praised their role in producing great leaders for the country. He assured the lawyers that the doors of the Governor’s House were always open for them and that he was willing to advocate for them at the federal level.

He also criticised the prime minister for not visiting the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since assuming the office. He urged the prime minister to visit Peshawar and personally assess the province’s situation. Governor Kundi reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the province’s interests despite political differences.

The event was attended by a large number of lawyers, including Peshawar High Court Bar president Fida Gul, general secretary Alam Khan Adeenzai, and People’s Lawyers Forum leaders Gohar Rahman Khattak and Ejaz Ali Shah.