Summary KP chief minister raises concerns over federal resource distribution, alleging budget cuts, while Islamabad promises to address grievances.
PESHAWAR (Web Desk) - A federal negotiation team led by Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal met Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi in Peshawar, where the provincial government raised strong concerns over alleged federal discrimination and financial constraints.
According to details, the meeting covered a wide range of issues including consultations with party leadership, the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, financial and constitutional rights of the province, development funds for merged districts, energy projects, wheat supply, and hydropower initiatives.
During the talks, the chief minister expressed serious reservations over what he described as continued unfair treatment of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in federal decision-making. He warned that if the province’s constitutional and financial rights were not ensured, participation in the upcoming NEC meeting could become difficult.
He stressed that consultation with party leadership, including Imran Khan, was essential before key budgetary and national decisions, stating that all political parties follow similar democratic practices.
The chief minister alleged that cuts in development allocations for the province were increasing. He said allocations under the Accelerated Implementation Programme had been reduced from Rs37 billion to Rs27 billion, while the merged districts’ development budget had been cut from Rs66 billion to Rs56 billion.
He further said that the constitutional NFC share of merged districts had been withheld for the past eight years, affecting development and public welfare in the region.
Raising further concerns, the chief minister said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produces over 500 MMCFD of gas but continues to face shortages and load-shedding, while its consumption stands significantly lower. He termed the situation inconsistent with constitutional principles of resource distribution.
He also highlighted delays in operationalising completed development projects, including a dam project where clearance issues have stalled activation, and a bus terminal project awaiting NOC approval from the National Highway Authority.
He added that if Punjab is unwilling to supply wheat to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, constitutional articles governing inter-provincial trade and movement should be reconsidered, urging full and non-discriminatory implementation of the Constitution.
Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal assured the delegation that the NOC for the bus terminal project would be issued within 24 hours and pledged to raise the province’s concerns at the highest federal forums, including the Prime Minister.
