Governor’s Rule in KP to continue as needed, Elections to be held on time: Ikhtiar Wali

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Ikhtiar Wali has said governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will remain in place for as long as necessary, adding that it could continue until the next elections if required.

He said the elections would be held on schedule and that governor’s rule would not create any obstacle to the electoral process. Commenting on Sohail Afridi, Wali said the chief minister and members of the provincial assembly had already been suspended, claiming that the assembly was not functioning.

He further stated that Sohail Afridi was in protective custody and had voluntarily surrendered himself. Wali added that accountability would now be conducted without discrimination and that no one would be spared. The prime minister’s special assistant also alleged that the administrative system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had deteriorated, claiming that some districts had effectively been handed over to terrorists.

He said the federal government had no political agenda in the province, stressing that its objectives were limited to restoring peace and promoting development.

Wali’s remarks come amid heightened political debate over the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including questions surrounding provincial governance, security and the possible duration of governor’s rule.