Times Report
PESHAWAR: A federal delegation led by Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal called on Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House Islamabad to discuss a range of intergovernmental matters, including meeting with former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the forthcoming meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), provincial fiscal and constitutional rights, development financing for the merged districts, energy-related issues, wheat supply, hydropower projects, and other matters of mutual concern. During the meeting, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi conveyed the provincial government’s concerns regarding the continued unequal treatment of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in matters relating to fiscal allocations and development financing. He stated that sustained denial of the province’s constitutional and financial entitlements could adversely affect the environment necessary for constructive intergovernmental engagement, including participation in national forums such as the NEC. The Chief Minister emphasized that consultations with Imran Khan were essential in the context of major policy and budgetary decisions, noting that political parties routinely seek guidance from their leadership on matters of national importance. He stressed that the provincial government considered such consultations necessary before taking key decisions relating to the budget and broader economic policy. Highlighting fiscal concerns, the Chief Minister pointed to reductions in development allocations earmarked for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the merged districts. He noted that funding under the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP) had been reduced from Rs. 37 billion to Rs. 27 billion, while development allocations for the merged districts had been reduced from Rs. 66 billion to Rs. 56 billion by the federal government. He stated that the NFC share of the merged districts has been withheld unconstitutionally for the past eight years causing serious harm to the development process and public welfare efforts in these areas. The Chief Minister also raised concerns regarding energy sector issues, particularly the stoppage of gas supply to the province by the federal government. He stated that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produces more than 500 MMCFD of natural gas on a daily basis, yet the people of the province continue to face severe gas shortages and load shedding. He noted that the province’s total consumption is approximately 150 MMCFD. Describing the situation as contrary to constitutional requirements and the principles of equitable resource distribution, he said that depriving a gas producing province of its rightful share was unacceptable. The Chief Minister also highlighted delays in operationalizing a completed dam project in Swat due to the non issuance of required clearances for Chinese engineers by the federal government. He observed that such delays were preventing the timely utilization of completed infrastructure and limiting associated economic benefits. Similarly, the Chief Minister raised the issue of the Peshawar Bus Terminal, which has been completed but remains non operational due to the pending issuance of a No Objection Certificate by the National Highway Authority. He stressed the need for early resolution of the matter so that the facility can become available to the public. The Chief Minister also raised concerns regarding the supply of wheat from Punjab. He stated that if Punjab was unwilling to resume wheat supplies to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, then Articles 151 and 158 of the Constitution should be removed, as these provisions guarantee interprovincial trade, free movement, and equitable access to resources. He emphasized that the Constitution should be implemented fully rather than selectively, and without discrimination. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi called for the timely resolution of longstanding issues relating to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s constitutional, fiscal, and development rights and urged the federal government to take practical steps to address the province’s concerns. On the occasion, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal assured the Chief Minister that the No Objection Certificate required for the operationalization of the Peshawar Bus Terminal would be facilitated within twenty four hours. He also assured the provincial leadership that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s concerns and proposals would be presented before the Prime Minister and other relevant federal forums, and that efforts would be made to pursue their resolution.
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