Governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is for peace, not minerals, say Aqil Malik, Ameer Muqam

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqil Malik and the Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Information on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Akhtiar Wali Khan, have said that the emergency and Governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were not imposed to seize any mineral resources. They said the step had become essential to restore law and order in the province, meet security challenges and protect the lives and property of the people.

They said the narrative of JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on minerals was contrary to the facts and based on fabricated allegations.

Addressing a joint press conference on Monday, they said the constitutional measure was approved by a majority after detailed debate under Articles 232 and 234 of the Constitution in both houses of parliament and at a joint sitting. They said it was regrettable that, after three days of silence, an attempt was made to turn this national matter into a deliberate conspiracy and baseless propaganda.

Figures on mining leases

Barrister Aqil Malik said the provincial government had completely abandoned its constitutional responsibilities and its sole focus was sit-ins, long marches and confrontation.

Citing figures, he said that until 2010 there were 482 mining leases or concessions in the province. The number rose to 1,762 by 2020, to 3,962 by February 2024 and to 4,917 by October 2026.

He said this extraordinary rise from 482 to 4,917 took place during the PTI’s 13 years in office. The allegation that the federation was seizing minerals or granting licences to any foreign power, including the United States, was therefore entirely baseless and false. He said those making the allegation should present a single piece of evidence or a document to the nation.

Barrister Aqil Malik said Maulana Fazlur Rehman himself had admitted on the floor of parliament that the writ of the state was absent after sunset in several districts of the province, including his native Dera Ismail Khan, and that police stations had become inactive. Security forces, police and citizens were being martyred every day.

He said that when this important issue was being debated at the joint sitting of parliament, the Maulana himself was absent from the House and none of his members made any such allegation at the time. He said the federation took this step under constitutional requirements to protect the people, and that an 11-member advisory council was working to improve the affairs of the province.

Akhtiar Wali Khan’s position

Akhtiar Wali Khan said the previous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had left several districts at the mercy of terrorists and the police were forced to go on strike.

He said Maulana Fazlur Rehman was a senior national-level leader and should refrain from statements that hurt the people of the province and the families of martyrs.

Akhtiar Wali Khan said no emergency had been imposed in Buner, Swat, Malakand, Hazara and Kohat, districts rich in mineral resources. He said this proved that the purpose of Governor’s rule was not minerals but solely to end unrest.

He said that during the PTI’s rule, leases were distributed on the basis of preference among its close associates, ministers and advisers, and the former provincial government brought the province’s economy, industry, health and education systems to the brink of ruin.

Akhtiar Wali Khan said that for the reconstruction and development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, all political leaders should set aside personal differences and stand shoulder to shoulder with state institutions and the Pakistan Army, because the province’s recovery and public welfare were not possible without restoring peace.