Asad Umar Calls KP Monitoring Committee a ‘Worst Move’, Says It Violates Provincial Autonomy

ISLAMABAD: Former federal minister Asad Umar has strongly criticised the establishment of a monitoring committee in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, calling it a “worst move” and a clear violation of provincial autonomy guaranteed under the Constitution.
In a statement posted on X, Asad Umar said the 11-member committee, which would review the province’s affairs and make daily decisions, included only one member from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said the composition of the committee sent an extremely negative message to the people of the province and undermined the principle of provincial autonomy enshrined in the Constitution.
Asad Umar urged the authorities to empower the advisory council comprising people from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to run the province for as long as Governor’s Rule remained in force.
He also called on the individuals nominated to the monitoring committee to hold negotiations with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to ensure the earliest possible end to Governor’s Rule and the emergency.
Commenting on the political standing of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Asad Umar said that regardless of differing opinions about his performance, he had emerged as a hero in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in particular and Pakistan in general.
He questioned why individuals arrested by the authorities often gained popularity among the public, asking why such a wide gap existed between the thinking of the people and that of those in power.
KP Apex Committee Reviews Security Situation
Meanwhile, the provincial Apex Committee has decided to provide modern equipment, armoured vehicles, effective weapons and the required manpower to the police and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) to improve law and order and eliminate terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
An important meeting of the provincial Apex Committee was held at the Governor House in Peshawar under the chairmanship of Governor Faisal Karim Kundi.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, members of the advisory council, the Peshawar corps commander, the chief secretary, the inspector general of police and other senior civil and military officials attended the meeting.
At the outset, participants paid tribute to the security personnel and other martyrs who had sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism and for the restoration of peace. Prayers were also offered for the departed souls.
The meeting reviewed the overall security situation in the province and discussed measures aimed at eliminating terrorism and establishing lasting peace.
The forum directed all relevant institutions to ensure coordinated, effective and decisive measures to eradicate terrorism and improve the law-and-order situation across the province.