PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday stressed the need for collective efforts to secure the constitutional rights of the province.
He was addressing a ceremony at the Governor’s House to welcome dozens of young lawyers into the fold of the People’s Lawyers Forum (PLF).The governor praised the forum for organizing what he termed a successful membership drive and congratulated 70 young lawyers, including 14 women, on joining the organization.
The ceremony was attended by PPP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha, PLF president Gohar Rehman Khattak Advocate, senior vice president Ejaz Mohmand, KP Bar Council member Khizar Hayat Khazana, general secretary Lajbar Khan Advocate, senior and young lawyers, and PPP leaders, including deputy general secretary Malik Saeed, divisional president Misbahuddin, and Dr Janbaz Afridi.
Kundi said the provincial government had failed to present Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s case before the federation during the last 13 years despite the province’s contribution to the country’s energy sector.
He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produced 508 MMCFD of gas against its total requirement of 180 MMCFD, adding that under the Constitution, the first right over provincial resources belonged to the respective province.
The governor said he had raised the issue of CNG closure with the chief minister, after which the provincial assembly voiced support for the province’s rights, leading to the restoration of CNG supply within 48 hours by the federal government.
He said the province produced substantial electricity, but its residents continued to face power outages. “All stakeholders must play their role in securing the rights of the province,” he added.
Kundi said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa possessed immense potential in minerals, tourism and religious tourism, which could significantly improve the economic condition of the people if supported by better law and order and increased investment.
He also assured the legal community of his full cooperation in resolving issues faced by lawyers.Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha welcomed the newly inducted lawyers and expressed hope that the PLF would address the concerns of the legal fraternity.
He said efforts would be made to address the reservations of PLF lawyers.Bacha also congratulated PPP leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, on the party’s success in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections.
