No room for failure as KP governor gets 180 days to deliver: Vawda
Senator Faisal Vawda on Wednesday said the possibility of a ban on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) remains, while urging the party’s sincere workers and leaders to form a separate political platform.
Speaking to host Shaukat Paracha on Aaj News’ programme Rubaru, Vawda said he had predicted the possibility of a ban on the PTI 10 months ago and continued to consider it a possibility. He clarified that this was his analysis and opinion, not a news report.
Discussing the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the imposition of governor’s rule, Vawda said Governor Faisal Karim Kundi had 180 days to demonstrate performance, leaving no room for failure.
He said the governor was taking steps to increase police salaries and argued that delivering better public services could win him widespread support.
“If people become happy with his performance, they will make the KP governor the crown of their heads,” Vawda said.
He claimed that people in the province were dissatisfied with the government’s performance and had yet to receive the facilities they expected. He questioned how political leaders could defend their performance when children lacked access to education and basic services.
The senator stressed that the province did not belong to any single individual and that its leadership needed to deliver tangible results.
Vawda urges PTI workers to form new party
Commenting on the PTI, Vawda said he believed an element within the party had exercised control over it and determined its direction.
However, he cautioned against holding the entire party responsible for terrorism, saying many of its members had also made sacrifices in the fight against militancy.
He urged the party’s sincere workers and leaders to establish a separate political party, suggesting they could call it PTI Pakistan or choose another name.
Vawda criticised the policy of negotiating with militants, describing it as a mistake by PTI founder Imran Khan. He said there should be no concessions on terrorism.
Asked about the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), he said he did not have extensive information about the organisation but suggested that the same people might be behind it and other incidents.
He called for the arrest of certain individuals, adding that authorities might now be able to reach those who had supported such elements.
He also said there could be no compromise on the national flag and national anthem, stressing that political differences should not undermine respect for national symbols.
Calls for political system to be rebooted
Explaining his call for a political “reboot”, Vawda said he did not believe martial law or another form of government was imminent.
He argued that democracy must operate within the Constitution and the law and deliver results. Otherwise, he said, the public would remove politicians from power.
Comparing the proposed changes to rebooting a mobile phone, he said some existing features might be removed and new programmes introduced to address shortcomings and improve performance.
Vawda said the role the military or establishment had been required to play in keeping the democratic system functioning showed that politicians needed to fulfil their responsibilities more effectively.
He described himself as a supporter of democracy but said he did not support a system that failed to deliver for the public.
Praising the military, he credited it with playing a role in preventing Pakistan from defaulting, representing the country internationally and defending it. He also praised Field Marshal Asim Munir, saying institutions that worked for the country deserved recognition.
He argued that politicians received greater resources but had failed to deliver the expected results, while the military performed its duties with limited defence resources.
Says time for negotiations has passed
Vawda described Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman as a major political leader and mentor. He also expressed respect for President Asif Ali Zardari, saying both leaders had much to teach others about politics.
He said personal and political relationships could help when democratic processes and negotiations failed. He added that Fazlur Rehman would welcome improvements in public services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and stood with Pakistan.
Asked about the Pakistan Peoples Party’s proposal for negotiations, Vawda said he believed the time for talks had passed. He remarked that imposing governor’s rule while simultaneously discussing negotiations reflected the way democracy operated.
On the judicial system, he expressed hope that judicial reforms would help people obtain justice closer to their homes.
He also said security was essential to attracting investment to Pakistan, arguing that investors would be more interested in the country if adequate protection were provided.
Vawda called for an end to political division and polarisation, saying the country’s progress depended on political leaders delivering results, maintaining peace and improving public services.