Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Interior Minister discuss CPEC advancement

Islamabad: Amid growing concerns about regional security and economic stability, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi met with Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi to discuss pressing security and administrative challenges facing the province, particularly in light of recent developments at key border crossings and along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The meeting, held in Islamabad, focused on rising incidents of unrest in Dera Ismail Khan, a critical area through which CPEC passes and disturb its advancement.

Governor Kundi raised alarms over the deteriorating security landscape in the region, which he said is creating fear among local populations and project personnel, thereby obstructing vital infrastructure and energy projects that are central to Pakistan’s economic future.

He also highlighted the plight of traders and daily commuters at the Torkham border, as well as the hardships faced by religious pilgrims crossing through the Taftan border with Iran.

Both crossings, the governor emphasized, are of strategic importance not only to Pakistan but to the broader region. He called for urgent enhancements in security infrastructure and administrative services to ensure smooth and safe passage for people and goods.

Responding to the concerns, Interior Minister Naqvi assured the governor of the federal government’s full support in securing CPEC routes and resolving long-standing logistical and security issues at the border posts. He stressed that the protection of CPEC—a multi-billion-dollar flagship initiative under China’s Belt and Road Initiative—remains a top national priority.

Minister Naqvi announced that a passport office will be established in Tehsil Paharpur to facilitate local residents, a request made by Governor Kundi to ease the documentation burden on remote populations.

In a significant development, the minister also committed to personally visiting both Torkham and Taftan in the near future to conduct on-ground assessments and expedite remedial measures.

The meeting reflects Islamabad’s increasing focus on regional integration, cross-border trade facilitation, and national security enhancement, particularly as Pakistan looks to rejuvenate investor confidence and fulfill its international obligations under strategic projects like CPEC.

The federal-provincial coordination on these issues is expected to be further strengthened in the coming weeks through inter-ministerial consultations and joint task forces.