Tensions between the federal government and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa resurfaced on Monday as Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi warned that continued “stepmotherly treatment” of the province could make it difficult to participate in the upcoming National Economic Council (NEC) meeting.
The remarks came during a meeting with a federal delegation led by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal.
A federal government negotiation team, headed by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, met Chief Minister Sohail Khan Afridi to discuss a range of political, financial and development issues.
The meeting covered arrangements for a meeting with Imran Khan, the upcoming NEC session, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s financial rights, hydropower projects, gas supply and other inter-provincial matters.
Consultation with Imran Khan ‘essential’
During the meeting, the chief minister stressed that consultation with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder Imran Khan and obtaining his approval were necessary before making decisions on the federal budget and other matters of national importance.
He said all political parties consult their leadership before taking major political decisions and that the provincial government was following the same democratic practice.
Afridi also informed the federal delegation about the need to facilitate an early meeting with the former prime minister.
Warning over NEC participation
The chief minister warned that if what he described as discriminatory treatment of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continued, the provincial government could face difficulties attending the NEC meeting.
According to Afridi, meetings with federal representatives have so far failed to resolve key concerns, with the province instead witnessing further injustices.
Concerns over funding cuts
Afridi expressed strong reservations over what he called continued reductions in the province’s financial share.
He said funds allocated under the Annual Investment Programme (AIP) for the merged districts had been reduced from Rs37 billion to Rs27 billion.
Similarly, the development budget for the merged districts under the AIP had been cut from Rs66 billion to Rs56 billion.
The chief minister also alleged that the NFC share of the merged districts had been withheld for the past eight years, describing the situation as unconstitutional and unfair to local residents.
Gas shortages despite local production
The meeting also focused on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s energy concerns.
Afridi said the province produces more than 500 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) of natural gas, while its total consumption stands at around 150 MMCFD.
Despite this, he said residents continue to face severe gas shortages, adding that obstacles to gas supply were unacceptable.
Wheat supply, constitutional rights
The chief minister also raised concerns regarding wheat supply from Punjab and the implementation of constitutional provisions governing inter-provincial trade and resource distribution.
He argued that if Punjab was unwilling to supply wheat to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, questions would arise regarding the practical implementation of Articles 151 and 158 of the Constitution, which guarantee free inter-provincial trade and preferential rights over local resources.
Afridi urged the federal government to ensure the province receives its constitutional, financial and development rights.
The chief minister highlighted delays in a completed dam project in Swat, saying a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Chinese engineers had yet to be issued, preventing work from moving forward.
He also pointed to the delayed activation of a completed bus terminal project due to the non-issuance of an NOC by the National Highway Authority.
In response, Ahsan Iqbal assured the provincial government that the required NOC for the bus terminal would be issued within 24 hours.
Federal team promises follow-up
The federal delegation assured the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government that its concerns, demands and recommendations would be presented before Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other relevant forums.
Officials also pledged to take serious steps toward resolving outstanding issues between the centre and the province.
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