Province says financial merger of former FATA incomplete as federal dues remain unpaid
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has accused the federal government of withholding crucial funds owed to the province saying financial discrimination against KP continues despite repeated demands.
Speaking at the launch of a beautification project in Peshawar Afridi said the Centre had failed to release key payments including dues meant for the merged districts and hydel profits. He stressed that the province had fulfilled its responsibilities in the war against terrorism and deserved its rightful financial support.
Unpaid Dues for Merged Districts and Hydel Profits
The chief minister stated that the federation had committed one hundred billion rupees annually for development of the merged districts but had not released a total of five hundred fifty billion rupees.
He added that more than two thousand two hundred billion rupees in net hydel profit dues were also pending with the federal government. Afridi said that despite these massive outstanding payments the concerns of KP were consistently ignored.
Afridi criticised those who questioned the provinces one percent share under the National Finance Commission Award for the war against terrorism saying that such criticism ignored KP’s unmatched sacrifices.
KP Says Outstanding Amount Now Three Trillion Rupees
The chief minister said the total outstanding dues owed by the federal government had reached three thousand billion rupees. He added that KP’s rightful share in the NFC Award stood at nineteen point four percent while the province was receiving only fourteen point six percent.
Afridi said the people of KP had voted repeatedly for Imran Khans vision and that his government would continue to work for public welfare and equitable resource distribution.
Beautification Project Launched for Peshawar
Afridi launched a wide ranging beautification project aimed at restoring the historic identity of Peshawar. The plan includes rehabilitation of major roads installation of streetlights reduction of traffic congestion development of green spaces placement of sculptures and overall improvement of city aesthetics.
He said Peshawar as the provincial capital was a shared responsibility and that the government intended to bring more development projects forward. A comprehensive master plan for the city would soon be prepared with input from public representatives.
Officials briefed the chief minister that key components of the project include work on the Peshawar Ring Road Jamrud Road and GT Road. The ceremony was attended by provincial ministers local representatives former lawmakers and senior officials.