KP Governor Calls For Root-Level Reforms In Dialogue With Human Rights And Media Delegation

Peshawar – A 10-member delegation from Individualland Pakistan (IL) met with Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi, at the Governor's House to discuss the pressing issues of media freedom, civic engagement, and human rights in the province.

The meeting was part of the European Union-funded project Strengthening Media Persons' Capacity and Engagement for Fundamental Human Rights, jointly implemented by Individualland Pakistan and CPDI. It was facilitated by Saifullah Khoso, Integrated Operations & Program Manager at IL.

The initiative aims to foster sustainable platforms for dialogue, democratic governance, and the protection of civil society and media institutions, particularly in regions experiencing political, social, and institutional instability.

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During the meeting, the IL delegation shared observations from their ongoing work in KP, expressing concern over growing restrictions on independent journalism and the need to safeguard fundamental freedoms. Governor Kundi welcomed their input and underlined the government's constitutional responsibility to uphold civil liberties.

"The root causes of instability and unrest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lie in local-level support for militancy and the failure to meet basic needs. Unless we address core issues like hunger, education, and employment, peace and human rights will remain mere slogans," Governor Kundi stated.

The delegation called for enhanced collaboration between civil society, media, and government institutions to ensure an open and secure environment for independent journalism. A representative from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, who was part of the delegation, highlighted barriers to on-ground reporting, saying:

"Despite our best efforts, we have never been granted permission to visit and assess incidents like the one in Parachinar. In such circumstances, it becomes nearly impossible for civil society and the media to speak based on facts and realities on the ground."

Saifullah Khoso stressed the urgent need for journalist protection laws, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where media professionals face considerable risks. He also urged the government to streamline the process for NGOs to operate, citing the current burden of obtaining NOCs from over 15 institutions.

> "A single-window solution should be introduced so that NGOs can effectively continue working in areas where the government either cannot reach or where its resources are limited," he said.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continue such engagements to promote press safety, transparency, and accountability in governance.

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