PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi announced a joint strategy with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to safeguard the constitutional and financial rights of the province.
Addressing a late-night press conference at Mufti Mahmood Markaz, the Chief Minister said the meeting focused on key issues affecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly its share under the National Finance Commission (NFC) framework.
He alleged that the province had faced discriminatory treatment from the federal government over the past eight years.
Afridi stated that following the 25th Constitutional Amendment and the merger of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the current NFC Award had become outdated and unconstitutional.
He noted that despite the addition of over six million people to the province, the corresponding financial share had not been allocated, and instead continued to be distributed among other provinces.
He called for an immediate revision of the NFC Award or the formation of the Eleventh NFC Award to address the imbalance.
The Chief Minister also raised concerns over the supply of wheat, accusing the Punjab government of blocking shipments to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in violation of Article 151 of the Constitution. He termed the move unconstitutional and said both leaderships had agreed to raise a joint voice against it.
On the issue of gas supply, Afridi cited Article 158, emphasizing that provinces producing natural gas have the first right to utilize their resources. He revealed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produces over 500 MMCFD of gas daily, while consuming only about 150 MMCFD, yet continues to face severe gas load shedding.
Both leaders also discussed challenges faced by the tribal districts and reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the rights of the province’s people.
Responding to questions, the Chief Minister confirmed that the provincial government would support legislation for the registration of madrassas and play a constructive role in the process.
He further stated that consultation with political leadership, including seeking guidance from Imran Khan on major financial decisions, was in line with democratic practices.
