Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed deep concern on Monday over the unavailability of an air ambulance during a recent emergency in Swat. He alleged that the air ambulance, meant for critical rescue operations, was instead being used to serve ministers’ family members attending the Shandur Polo Festival. Speaking to the media in Peshawar, Kundi lamented the lack of emergency preparedness, suggesting that authorities could have sought assistance from the Air Force or Navy if needed.
The governor did not hold back in his criticism of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which has governed the province for over a decade. He questioned the effectiveness of the ongoing anti-encroachment operations, stating that action should first be taken against officials who initially permitted illegal constructions in exchange for bribes. “This operation seems more like political revenge than genuine reform,” Kundi remarked.
Kundi emphasized that for the anti-encroachment campaign to be credible, it must also target influential figures within the provincial government who have violated building laws. “Only then will people believe this is a fair operation,” he asserted. His statements come amid growing public scrutiny over the transparency of such government initiatives.
Earlier in the day, Governor Kundi participated in the main 9th Muharram mourning procession in Peshawar’s Saddar area, expressing solidarity with the mourners. His appearance at the religious gathering highlighted his engagement with public sentiments amid ongoing political and administrative controversies in the province.