PNN: On Thursday, KP Governor Kundi said that both KP and Balochistan face the same security problems because they share a border with Afghanistan and have close cultural ties. He stressed that the two provinces need to work together to bring lasting peace.
He made the remarks while addressing participants of the 18th National Workshop Balochistan, who visited the Governor House here. The delegation, led by Brig. Bilal Ghafoor, included students and faculty members from universities across Balochistan.
Welcoming the participants, Governor Kundi extended New Year greetings and appreciated the initiative aimed at fostering interaction among youth and academic communities from different provinces.
During an interactive session, participants raised questions on law and order, higher education, development challenges, counterterrorism efforts, and the management of natural resources in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Addressing these concerns, the governor said both provinces continue to bear the brunt of militancy due to their proximity to Afghanistan. He regretted that funds allocated for the war on terror were not effectively used to strengthen the operational capacity of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police.
He described the police force as professional and courageous but said it lacked modern equipment and resources required to counter evolving security threats. He also expressed concern over what he described as Indian-backed militant activity originating from across the Afghan border, adding that political leaders across the province were alarmed by the deteriorating law and order situation.
Governor Kundi stressed that sustainable peace could only be achieved through intelligence-based operations and questioned the effectiveness of counterterrorism efforts in the absence of strong intelligence-led strategies. He cautioned against hate-driven propaganda targeting security institutions and urged that political disagreements be addressed through democratic means.
He further said that Afghan nationals had been found involved in several terrorist incidents in the province. Beyond security, he noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had also suffered severe impacts from climate change over the past year.
Turning to education, the governor said the sector required urgent attention, noting that only Rs4 billion had been allocated for 34 public-sector universities in the province. He said meaningful academic progress was not possible without adequate funding.
Despite its oil, gas, and hydropower resources, he said, the province had not received its fair share of economic benefits. “Instead of resolving issues, we are complicating them further,” he remarked.
Referring to Pakistan’s improving diplomatic profile, Governor Kundi said increased engagement by world leaders presented economic opportunities that should benefit all segments of society, particularly the business community.
Concluding his address, he emphasized the vast hydropower potential of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and said educated youth were the country’s greatest asset. He said it was through education, skills, and positive thinking that young people would drive Pakistan toward progress and prosperity.