Peshawar, October 12,2026: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday pledged enhanced support, better equipment and higher salaries for police personnel, saying the new provincial setup would not compromise on law enforcement as it prioritised the fight against terrorism.
Addressing a press conference in Peshawar a day after the imposition of governor’s rule, Kundi said he had convened a security meeting on Sunday and chaired a meeting of the provincial apex committee on Monday to ensure that counterterrorism remained the government’s top priority.
“Our first priority is the fight against terrorism,” he said, assuring the army, police, Frontier Constabulary and other security institutions of the administration’s full support.
Kundi said members of the newly formed advisory council had taken charge of their assigned departments and would share their plans in due course. He added that the government had decided to prioritise the provision of resources to the police and Crime Control Department (CCD), with development as its second priority.
“Whatever weapons you want, whatever you need, we will get them to you,” he said, reiterating that the government would ensure police personnel were properly equipped.
The governor said he had directed the inspector general of police and chief secretary to ensure that KP police salaries were no longer among the lowest in the country. He added that the government would increase compensation for families of martyred personnel and provide free education to their children.
He also announced that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had provided 10 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) to the provincial police. According to Kundi, the federal government had assured the provincial administration that any funding shortfalls for police and security forces would be covered.
Peace and development priorities
Kundi said improved coordination between the federal and provincial governments would strengthen counterterrorism efforts. He criticised the previous provincial administration over what he described as inadequate coordination with the Centre.
“Our priority, our focus, is peace plus development,” he said, adding that the administration would work around the clock to restore public confidence, attract investment and create employment opportunities for young people.
The governor also urged striking young doctors to return to work, assuring them that their concerns would be addressed. He expressed hope that the grievances of university employees protesting over salaries and employment would also be resolved, warning that anyone who disrespected university faculty would be removed.
He invited the business community to work with the administration to resolve its concerns, saying improved security would encourage investment and create jobs.
Responding to a question, Kundi said efforts were under way to restore internet services and that roads were expected to reopen within one or two days, allowing normal life to resume.
He also criticised the PTI-led provincial government, saying it had failed to effectively present its case to the federal government. He said disagreements should be addressed through arguments rather than abusive language.
Apex committee calls for coordinated counterterrorism action
Earlier on Monday, Kundi and Interior Minister Naqvi co-chaired a meeting of the provincial apex committee, where they stressed the need for coordinated action against terrorism and improved operational capacity of the police and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).
Kundi said the province could sacrifice development spending but not security, pointing to what he described as a lack of coordination in previous counterterrorism efforts.
He highlighted the difficulties faced by residents of terrorism-affected areas, including Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Waziristan, and called for restoring their freedom of movement.
Naqvi said effective coordination between federal and provincial authorities was essential to defeating terrorism. He accused the previous provincial government of failing to provide the necessary leadership in the fight against militancy, saying counterterrorism operations required government backing regardless of the resources available.
The apex committee’s official handout said the forum directed relevant institutions to take coordinated, effective and decisive measures to eliminate terrorism and establish lasting peace.
It said intelligence-based operations would continue and all available resources would be used to improve law and order. The committee also called for providing the police and CTD with modern equipment, vehicles, weapons, personnel and other necessary resources.
The forum further emphasised resolving public grievances, improving basic facilities and ensuring service delivery at people’s doorsteps, with local needs and public suggestions to be considered in policymaking.
Federal-provincial coordination
Kundi also met Chief Secretary Dr Muhammad Fakhr Alam Irfan, Home Affairs Adviser Kifayatullah Khan and Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed to review the security situation and counterterrorism efforts.
In a post on X, the governor said the welfare of police personnel, fair compensation and the future of their families would remain priorities. He pledged to strengthen the police and CTD and provide personnel with the support they needed.
He separately met Minister for States and Frontier Regions Amir Muqam at Governor House. According to state-run APP, the two discussed the provincial situation, security and measures to improve law and order.
The meetings followed the federal government’s decision on Sunday to impose an emergency under Article 232 of the Constitution and governor’s rule under Article 234. The government cited security concerns and what it described as the provincial administration’s disengagement from counterterrorism efforts.
The federal government also authorised the deployment of Pakistan Army troops and assets in aid of civil power. Security measures in Peshawar included the placement of shipping containers on several roads and a heavy police presence.
The PTI has opposed the federal intervention, arguing that it has been excluded from security decisions concerning the province. The party has also called for a review of counterterrorism policy and opposed military operations.
Changes in provincial law department
Separately, the provincial law department de-notified 61 law officers from the advocate general’s office following the imposition of emergency measures.
According to a notification issued on Sunday, the officers included 26 additional advocates general, 31 assistant advocates general and four advocates-on-record.
Another notification dated October 11 appointed 27 new law officers, comprising 12 additional advocates general, 13 assistant advocates general and two advocates-on-record. The appointments included postings in Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Swat, Abbottabad and Islamabad.
