ISLAMABAD: Senator Faisal Vawda has declared that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is finished as a political force, saying “the show is over”, while warning Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi that there would be no room for failure under the province’s new administrative arrangement.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, Vawda said the party had become fragmented and that its political standing had weakened, adding that further developments would follow the release of what he described as the first part of a broader account of Pakistan’s political affairs.
“The party is already scattered. It’s all over. The show is over,” he said, adding that there could be a “second, third and fourth part” to the series.
Vawda criticised the performance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, arguing that the province had suffered despite 13 years of PTI-led rule.
He said the provincial government’s performance should be judged on its record rather than political slogans, adding that ordinary people were more concerned about relief, education, healthcare and economic conditions than political rhetoric.
‘No room for failure under new setup’
Commenting on the new arrangement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the imposition of governor’s rule, Vawda said Governor Faisal Karim Kundi had a significant responsibility and would be expected to deliver results.
He said the 180-day period should not be treated as a licence to delay progress until its final day, adding that the administration would face performance reviews within its first 30 and 60 days.
“The governor has a major responsibility here. Even a one per cent failure is unacceptable,” Vawda said, expressing confidence that the new setup would succeed.
He said the administration would be judged on its ability to improve governance and address terrorism, adding that officials who failed to perform should be replaced.
Vawda said the new arrangement was a “test case” and that there would be no justification for poor performance. He added that the administration would be monitored closely and that its performance would determine whether the public’s confidence in the system improved.
Calls for action against terrorism
Vawda also criticised political leaders for what he described as their failure to adequately support counterterrorism efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said security personnel, police officers and civilians had made sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, arguing that those sacrifices should be matched by practical action from the provincial administration.
Referring to the province’s security situation, Vawda said that terrorism had increased by 195% over two years.
He urged political leaders to cooperate with security agencies in tackling militant threats, arguing that counterterrorism should take precedence over political point-scoring.
Vawda also called for greater accountability from political leaders, saying public representatives should be judged on what they delivered rather than the slogans they raised.
He said the new provincial setup would have to demonstrate measurable improvements in security and public services during its 180-day period.
Vawda hints at further political revelations
The senator said the first part of his account of Pakistan’s political affairs had been released and that more parts could follow.
He also alleged that political negotiations and arrests involving PTI figures had been part of behind-the-scenes dealings, claiming that some of the developments had been coordinated.
Vawda said political parties should be held accountable under the Constitution and the law, adding that performance rather than political affiliation should determine whether leaders retained public support.
The senator maintained that the public would ultimately judge the new Khyber Pakhtunkhwa administration on its ability to improve security, governance and living conditions.
During the question-and-answer session, journalists asked Vawda about the duration of the new arrangement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the possibility of further political changes, the future of PTI and the meaning of his reference to a national “reboot”.
Responding to a question about whether the emergency arrangement could be extended beyond 180 days, Vawda said he had not specified a fixed duration.
He said assessments could take place at different intervals, including 60, 90, 180 or even 281 days, depending on developments and the administration’s performance.
Vawda said the new setup would be monitored regularly and that officials who failed to deliver could be replaced.
He added that progress in addressing terrorism could not be guaranteed within a specific number of hours, days or weeks, saying the response would depend on developments on the ground.
Rejects allegations against Maulana Fazlur Rehman
Asked about social media claims that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had lured or deceived a political leader into a meeting before an arrest, Vawda dismissed the allegations as baseless.
He said he maintained a personal relationship with Fazlur Rehman despite disagreements and defended the JUI-F chief against the allegations.
Vawda said Fazlur Rehman would support measures aimed at improving conditions for ordinary people if the proposed roadmap delivered results in areas such as education and public welfare.
He also suggested that further political developments could become clearer as more details of the proposed arrangements emerged.
‘PTI has no clear political future’
Asked about the future of PTI and its founder, Imran Khan, following the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency measures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Vawda said he did not see a promising political or constitutional outlook for the party under the prevailing circumstances.
He urged PTI supporters to continue serving Pakistan by forming new political groups, joining other parties or establishing alternative platforms.
“PTI, as of now, is neither there nor will it be there,” he said.
Vawda acknowledged that some members of the provincial cabinet had performed well, but maintained that political leaders should be judged on their results rather than their association with a particular party.
Explains his reference to a national ‘reboot’
Asked whether his remarks meant that Pakistan’s political system was being reset, Vawda said he had deliberately used the word “reboot”.
He compared the process to restarting a malfunctioning phone, saying Pakistan needed to address problems involving terrorism, economic difficulties, unemployment, education, healthcare and access to justice.
He said a reboot could involve removing some elements, making additions and gradually restoring the system’s functioning.
Vawda also defended the constitutional provisions under which governor’s rule and emergency measures had been introduced, arguing that their inclusion in the Constitution meant they were not inherently unconstitutional.
Says counterterrorism action depends on the situation
Asked whether similar measures could be introduced in other provinces, including Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab, Vawda said action should be taken wherever terrorism threatened Pakistan.
He argued that political figures should not be shielded from accountability if they supported militant activity under the cover of political office.
However, he said Balochistan’s provincial government deserved credit for its willingness to address terrorism.
Vawda said public support for the new arrangement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would depend on whether it delivered tangible improvements in security, education, healthcare and economic relief.
He maintained that the administration’s performance, rather than its political identity, would determine whether the public accepted the new setup.
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