PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa GovernorFaisal Karim Kundi on Thursday welcomed the recent peace agreement in Kurram, saying its effective implementation is critical to maintaining law and order in the region. He urged all stakeholders to remain committed to the agreement.

Accompanied by Pakistan Red Crescent provincial chairman Habib Malik Orakzai and vice chairman Farzand Wazir, the governor emphasised the importance of peace agreements in areas like Kurram.

He said the Kurram peace deal should be effectively enforced to ensure stability in the region.

Mr Kundi lauded the government of Balochistan for handing over a stock of medicines to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Red Crescent Society for Kurram families.

He criticised “several foreign powers for leaving behind a legacy of instability in Pakistan” and said there was a need for homegrown solutions to those challenges. Regarding the recent street protests, the governor said had the provincial government responded earlier, nationwide protests would have been avoided.

He also said that protests spread to Karachi, calling for more action from provincial authorities.

The governor criticised the ruling party in the province for “failing to decentralise powers as promised” before blaming lack of progress on local government officials.

Acknowledging the people’s right to protest, the governor said protests should be peaceful and conformto the constitutional framework.

He also announced he would hold a meeting with local government representatives at the Governor’s House soon.

Mr Kundi expressed concern over the “misuse of local government funds,” insisting that that money was used for street protests.

He, however, said he hoped that the chief minister would soon release necessary funds for local government representatives to ensure their effective functioning.

The governor questioned the utility of Rs500 billion allocated to the province to fight terrorism, and called for accountability.

He commended the Pakistan Red Crescent Society for its key role in assisting displaced people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Mr Kundisaid as the security situation in Kurram deteriorated, the Red Crescent set up relief camps to provide essential supplies and distributed food to 12,000 internally displaced persons.

He urged the provincial government to announce a compensation package of Rs1 crore for each martyr from Kurram, stressing the need to honour the sacrifices made by the victims.

He appreciated the Balochistan government for donating medicines worth Rs1 crore for Kurram people and the Sindh government for contributing Rs2 crore to relief efforts.

The governor said that he contacted both the president and the prime minister, who assured him that the federal government would play the due role in the rehabilitation of Kurram’s affected population.

He suggested that the chief minister hold a cabinet meeting in Dera Ismail Khan to address regional issues and promote good governance.

Mr Kundi announced that essential relief supplies, including medicines and blankets, were being sent to Kurram’s relief camps, providing aid to displaced persons.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2025