KP Apex Committee Prioritises Security Under Governor’s Rule

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi chaired a provincial apex committee meeting on Monday, a day after emergency and governor’s rule were imposed in the province. The meeting focused on law and order, counterterrorism coordination and administrative priorities under the new setup.

Kundi told the forum that security would be treated as the central task of the provincial administration. He said development goals could be delayed if necessary, but protection of citizens and restoration of peace could not be compromised. His remarks came as the province moved from elected government to federal-backed emergency administration.

The governor said the new arrangement would seek better coordination among the police, the Counter-Terrorism Department and other institutions. He argued that earlier efforts had suffered from weak alignment among authorities and said the administration would work continuously to improve operational response in districts facing militant violence.

Naqvi said the federal and provincial sides were now aligned on security policy. He criticised the previous provincial government’s handling of counterterrorism, saying the fight could not be won unless the administration actively led it. He also warned that results would not appear immediately, but said the same security forces and institutions would now be backed more effectively.

According to an official handout, the committee ordered coordinated and decisive action against terrorism and agreed that intelligence-based operations would continue. The forum also discussed strengthening the police and CTD with modern equipment, vehicles, weapons, personnel and other resources needed to improve law enforcement capacity.

The meeting also addressed governance and public service delivery. Officials said local needs and public suggestions would be considered while setting administrative priorities, while basic facilities and services would be taken closer to citizens. The governor separately reviewed security with senior provincial officials and said police welfare and compensation for families of personnel would remain a priority.

The decisions followed the federal government’s move to impose emergency under Article 232 and governor’s rule under Article 234, citing security concerns and alleged lack of cooperation from the previous provincial administration. Army deployment in aid of civil power has also been authorised, while roadblocks and heightened policing have already been reported in parts of Peshawar.

The next steps are expected to include regular apex committee meetings, expanded counterterrorism operations and administrative changes across the province. The new setup is likely to face legal and political challenges, as opposition leaders have rejected the move and vowed to contest it in court.