Islamabad — The political and administrative situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has entered a phase of growing uncertainty amid the PTI’s long march towards Islamabad and increasing tensions between the provincial and federal governments over security, law and order and the alleged use of government resources.
In a significant administrative development, Chief Secretary KP Shahab Ali Shah has directed all administrative secretaries and heads of departments to submit complete and duly certified records of actions, approvals and decisions taken on the instructions of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi since his appointment.
According to the official letter dated September 28, the record includes directives, contracts, job orders, special permissions, regulatory waivers and other related approvals.The documents were to be submitted in sealed envelopes addressed to the Chief Secretary by October 2.
Although the directive does not directly link the record collection to the PTI long march, its timing has assumed significance amid heightened political tensions and growing scrutiny of the provincial administration.Meanwhile, the PTI has proceeded with its October 4 long march towards Islamabad, with Chief Minister Sohail Afridi leading the provincial mobilisation after efforts to reach an understanding with the federal government failed.
Against this backdrop, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi at Governor House Peshawar to discuss the province’s security situation, political developments and issues arising from the PTI march.The meeting also focused on concerns that the procession could create security challenges, including the possibility of militants exploiting the situation or crossing security checkpoints.
The discussions assumed greater political significance as the meeting reportedly considered possible constitutional options, including Governor’s Rule or emergency measures, if the federal authorities concluded that the situation had reached a point requiring intervention.However, no formal decision to impose Governor’s Rule has been announced so far. Any such move would require the constitutional procedure prescribed under Article 234.
Federal provincial tensions intensify
The latest developments follow the failure of talks between the federal government and PTI aimed at preventing the march.The federal side has criticised the provincial government over its role in the mobilisation, while the PTI maintains that its political and constitutional demands remain the central issue.The federal government has also raised questions over the alleged use of provincial helicopters and other official resources for the march.The issue has gained further importance in view of existing court directions concerning the use of government machinery and officials for political activities.
The Chief Secretary’s latest directive has consequently added an administrative dimension to the ongoing political confrontation, although there is currently no official indication that the exercise constitutes an investigation or is intended to pave the way for removal of the provincial government.With the PTI march underway, the situation in KP remains closely linked to developments on the ground, the province’s law-and-order situation and the possibility of further political or constitutional action by the federal authorities.The Daily Newsman made several attempts to contact Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah through WhatsApp to seek his comments on the said notification.However, no response was received from him despite repeated messages & call.