Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has assured that the people of the province will retain the first right over its natural resources, rejecting concerns that foreign entities could exploit the province’s mineral wealth.
Addressing a ceremony in Peshawar, Kundi said no foreign individuals or companies would be allowed to exploit KP’s resources at the expense of its residents.
He stated that outside investors, whether foreign or domestic, could participate in joint ventures with local communities, provided the people of the province remained the primary stakeholders.
Kundi, who assumed administrative control of the province following the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency, said his foremost responsibility was to safeguard the interests of KP’s residents, followed by the province and Pakistan.
His remarks came amid allegations by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who claimed that governor’s rule and the imposition of emergency in KP were linked to the federal government’s intentions to gain control over the province’s natural resources.
Fazlur Rehman had also raised questions about the government’s stance on mineral resources during a National Assembly session, criticising the Centre’s decision to impose emergency and governor’s rule in the province.
Meanwhile, speculation has circulated on social media suggesting that KP’s mineral resources could be handed over or sold to the United States. The claims emerged following remarks by US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker during a September 30 interview, in which she expressed Washington’s interest in Pakistan’s mineral resources.
Without directly referring to these claims, Kundi said various reports were circulating in mainstream and social media, but protecting the interests of KP’s people remained his top priority.
Highlighting the province’s natural wealth, he said KP possessed extensive resources compared to other provinces. He noted that the province was Pakistan’s largest oil producer and second-largest gas producer, while also contributing to electricity generation.
He further highlighted KP’s tourism potential, mineral deposits and tobacco production as key economic assets.
Discussing the federal government’s allocation of Rs160 billion for development initiatives in the province, Kundi said 70 per cent of the funds would be spent across 12 districts covered by the Area Representative and Development Council (ARDC), while the remaining 30 per cent would be allocated to other districts.
He also assured residents of the merged tribal districts that they would receive their due share in development funding.
Commenting on corruption allegations against non-functional KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, the governor said legal proceedings would be initiated if the allegations were substantiated.
Earlier, Adviser to the KP Governor on Information and Public Relations Samar Haroon Bilour said evidence concerning alleged financial irregularities involving Afridi was being collected.
Afridi remains in preventive custody and has not appeared publicly since the imposition of governor’s rule in the province.
The federal government imposed governor’s rule and emergency in KP on October 11, citing what it described as the provincial government’s lack of cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.
The decision was subsequently approved by a joint sitting of parliament amid strong opposition protests.
The move followed weeks of political tensions between the federal government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), alongside unsuccessful negotiations aimed at resolving differences. The tensions intensified after PTI announced a long march towards Islamabad, demanding the release of its incarcerated founder, Imran Khan.
Federal ministers had accused the PTI-led provincial administration of maintaining links with terrorist groups, arguing that the deteriorating security situation in KP required the imposition of emergency.
