PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday said that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman’s children enjoyed luxury trips to Turkiye, Europe and the United States, while others’ children were sent to Afghanistan.

“I respect the JUI-F chief but believe the current situation is the result of the actions of his brothers and sons,” the governor told reporters as he visited the Jamil Chowk here to review the pace of construction work on underpasses.

“This is for their [Maulana Fazlur Rahman’s son Maulana Asad Mehmood’s] information: I never extorted anyone. I don’t want to go into the details of why you send the children of poor people to Afghanistan, while your own sons go to Turkiye, Europe and the United States,” he said.

The governor said Fazlur Rahman and his family members had themselves stated that they could not leave their homes after evening.

Says he respects JUI-F chief

He added that the JUI-F chief had been attacked and his brother intercepted by terrorists.

Mr Kundi said there was a zero tolerance policy towards facilitators of terrorists.

He said he had held a meeting with the prime minister as a follow-up to last month’s apex committee meeting.

The governor said that the federal government had announced a Rs160 billion development and security package for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said tenders for three phases of the long-awaited Chashma canal project would be issued, with two scheduled for the current month and the third for the next month.

Mr Kundi said a team would meet the prime minister to discuss related issues.

He said the province’s water issue had been raised with the federal government, which had acknowledged it.

The governor added that establishing peace and eliminating terrorism were the government’s top priorities.

He also referred to the commitment made by Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir in the fight against terrorism.

Mr Kundi said that allegations of corruption would be investigated and that development remained a priority for the provincial government.

He said all issues would be resolved but that process would take time.

On the killing of a Nadra assistant director in the provincial capital, the governor said he had sought a report from Capital City Police Officer Dr Mian Saeed Ahmad.

He added that a property dispute was suspected but all those responsible for the murder would be brought to justice.

Asked whether PTI will be consulted on negotiations, the governor wondered which PTI, saying the party has several factions.

He added that the groups would first hold talks among themselves after which the party would be consulted.

In a statement issued by his office, the governor said completion of the underpass project would improve traffic flow and facilitate commuters.

He said further measures, including the construction of underpasses, would be taken to address traffic problems and public difficulties at other busy locations in Peshawar, including University Road.

“Work on these projects will begin soon after approval from the relevant departments,” he said.

He said as he understood the difficulties faced by the people, he decided to visit the project site to review the pace of construction.

Mr Kundi said the Northern Bypass project would also be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

He urged people to remove encroachments voluntarily, saying no one has the right to occupy government land.

The governor said that anti-encroachment operations were continuing in the province without discrimination.

He said without an effective system of accountability, including rewards and penalties, reform of the system was not possible.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2026