PESHAWAR – Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan on Friday described the ruling alliance between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) as a “political compulsion” aimed at maintaining stability after the 2024 general elections, rather than an alliance of affection.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi at the Governor’s House in Peshawar, Mr Khan said, “At least two parties had to join forces for the formation of the government. Pakistan is our top priority.”
He admitted that party workers from both sides were finding it difficult to accept the alliance, acknowledging that it came at a political cost for the PPP. “The PPP’s inclusion in the government was borne out of necessity, not choice,” he said. “Even a minor irresponsibility could derail the system.” Mr. Khan said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had assured the PPP that its reservations would be addressed soon, though he conceded that PML-N leaders had failed to meet several commitments.
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The Punjab governor also supported Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s request to meet incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, saying there should be no political restrictions on such meetings. “There is democracy in the country. If the court has permitted the meeting, there’s no reason to stop it,” he said.
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Mr Khan urged the KP government to maintain working relations with the federation, stressing that political dialogue was the only way to secure provincial rights. He reaffirmed PPP’s commitment to the 26th Constitutional Amendment, saying it was “not rolled out of compulsion.” However, he clarified that the party had no knowledge about the 27th Amendment and would only support it after reviewing its contents.
Speaking at the same event, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said that Chief Minister Afridi had just taken oath and was still finalising his cabinet, noting that he had travelled to Rawalpindi to meet Imran Khan.
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Kundi suggested forming a parliamentary jirga to open dialogue between Islamabad and Peshawar, adding that issues could also be addressed through the Council of Common Interests (CCI). “After the merger of tribal districts, KP’s population increased. The NFC meeting was delayed due to floods, but my doors are open for cooperation,” he said. “The Governor’s House will act as a bridge between the provincial and federal governments.”
On security, Kundi warned that the law and order situation in merged districts was deteriorating, saying that intelligence-based operations were the only viable option. He revealed that federal representatives had visited Kabul, urging the Afghan interim government not to allow India or Israel to use its territory against Pakistan.
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Kundi also claimed that around 80% of militant attacks in KP were being carried out with Afghan involvement, adding that all but one of the attackers on a police training school in Dera Ismail Khan were Afghan nationals.