PESHAWAR: Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi, has called for a committee to investigate the recent fire at a factory in Hayatabad, expressing concerns over the fire brigade’s inadequate response due to alleged political misuse of resources.
Governor Kundi highlighted that the fire brigade trucks dispatched to tackle the fire were not fully equipped: “Two vehicles came to extinguish the fire—one was low on oil, and the other was low on water,” he said. He criticized the use of rescue vehicles for political events, which he argued compromised their readiness for emergency situations. “People pay taxes for essential services, not for political meetings and processions,” Kundi emphasized.
The Pakistan Army and Air Force were involved in the firefighting efforts, which the governor acknowledged but also questioned the reliance on military resources for civilian emergencies. “If the army is to handle everything, what role does the government play?” he asked, underscoring the need for better management within civil institutions.
Criticizing opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Kundi suggested that had this incident occurred in other provinces like Sindh or Punjab, political figures would have held press conferences to question the government’s response. He further urged the provincial government to avoid politicizing the tragedy and to ensure that departments serve the public rather than political agendas.
