ISLAMABAD — State Minister Talal Chaudhry said on Sunday that governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a short-term arrangement imposed to address terrorism, and that efforts will be made to restore the province’s political setup as soon as possible.
Speaking to reporters in the federal capital, Chaudhry also ruled out any share in the provincial government for Maulana Fazlur Rehman, accusing the religious-political leader of treating Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as “booty” in the wake of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government’s exit from power.
No Power-Sharing With Fazlur Rehman
The state minister alleged that Fazlur Rehman was angling for a stake in the provincial setup after PTI lost power, and insisted that the current arrangement in the province was never intended to distribute power or positions among political figures.
“Maulana Fazlur Rehman will not be given a share in the government setup of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” Chaudhry said, adding that the province should not be carved up among political stakeholders.
Emergency Powers and Mineral Extraction
Chaudhry also questioned the need to declare an emergency in the province in order to extract minerals, arguing that such measures were unnecessary. His remarks appeared aimed at pushing back on proposals that would broaden the emergency powers attached to the provincial administration.
Security Concerns and Political Criticism
Turning to security, the minister said political opponents were free to criticise the government but should not be seen standing alongside terrorists. He added that Pakistan’s relevant institutions were responsible for dealing with individuals involved in such activities.
The comments come as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains at the centre of national debate over security policy and provincial governance, with the federal government defending its intervention as a temporary, security-driven measure.
