Sohail Afridi takes up KP's financial, administrative issues with Ahsan Iqbal

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday met Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal and a federal government negotiation team to discuss key provincial and national issues.

The meeting focused on arrangements for a meeting with the jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, the upcoming National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, the financial rights of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other matters of mutual interest.

During the discussion, Afridi said if what he termed a “stepmother-like attitude” towards Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continues, it would become difficult for the provincial government to participate in the NEC meeting. He stressed that consultation with Imran Khan and his approval are essential before decisions on the budget and other matters of national importance.

He added that all political parties consult their leadership before major national decisions, and said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is following the same democratic tradition. He also requested arrangements for an immediate meeting with Imran Khan.

The Chief Minister expressed serious concerns over what he described as continuous reductions in the province’s financial share by the federation. He said that development funds for the merged districts under AIP have been reduced from Rs 37 billion to Rs 27 billion, while another AIP development allocation has been reduced from Rs 66 billion to Rs 56 billion.

He said that the NFC share of the merged districts has not been given to KP for the past eight years, calling it injustice to the people of the region. He added that instead of resolving issues in meetings with federal representatives, the problems of the province appear to be increasing.

The meeting also discussed wheat supply from Punjab, gas rights of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, hydropower projects, and other inter-provincial matters. Afridi said the province produces over 500 MMCFD of gas daily, while its consumption is only 150 MMCFD, yet residents continue to face severe gas shortages.

He raised concerns over delays in issuing NOCs for Chinese engineers required to start a completed dam project in Swat, which he said was causing unnecessary delays. Additionally, he pointed out that a completed bus terminal project has not become operational due to the non-issuance of an NOC by the National Highway Authority (NHA).

Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal assured that the NOC for the bus terminal would be issued within 24 hours. The federal negotiation team assured the Chief Minister that all concerns, demands, and suggestions of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government would be presented before the Prime Minister and other relevant forums for timely resolution.