The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Shehbaz Afridi, has sent an official letter to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, outlining the severe financial crisis the province is facing due to the federal government’s delay in releasing constitutionally mandated funds. In the letter, the Chief Minister has emphasized that the continuous delay in transferring federal funds has severely affected the province’s governance, budget implementation, and provision of public services.
The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has stated that people are disheartened due to the decision to ban rooms. In his letter, he highlighted that the provincial budget was made on the basis of constitutional financial rights and expected federal releases, but in reality, the actual releases were significantly lower than the budget targets. He has mentioned in the letter that, instead of 658 billion rupees, only 604 billion rupees have been received from the divisible pool of the federation, resulting in a clear shortage of 54 billion rupees, severely affecting the timely completion of cash management and development and social projects.
Muhammad Shehbaz Afridi has emphasized that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is on the front line in the war against terrorism and has borne the heavy burden of national expenditures. He has urged the Prime Minister to ensure the immediate and unconditional payment of federal liabilities, as further delay will exacerbate the financial pressure on the province.
The opposition alliance, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, has convened a meeting to decide on observing a black day on February 8th and holding a protest. The Chief Minister has pointed out that the burden of expenses related to anti-terrorism, relief after the floods, temporary care for the homeless, and maintaining peace and order is being unfairly imposed on the province, which is a national responsibility. He has stated that the net hydel profit, oil and gas royalties, and NFC awards are constitutional obligations, and normal monthly NFC releases should not be halted, as this would not only be against the constitution but also against the spirit of cooperative federalism.
In the letter, the Chief Minister has expressed deep concern about the situation in the merged districts and stated that the province has allocated 292 billion rupees for these districts, but the federal government has only released 56 billion rupees so far, resulting in a significant delay in the integration process and weakening national unity.
The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has requested the Prime Minister to ensure the immediate and unconditional payment of federal liabilities, as further delay will exacerbate the financial pressure on the province. He has emphasized that NFC transfers, net hydel profit, oil and gas royalties, and funds for the merged districts should be released in accordance with constitutional obligations.
The Chief Minister has requested the Prime Minister’s immediate and personal attention to this matter, as further delay will exacerbate the financial pressure on the province. He has urged the Prime Minister to ensure that NFC transfers, net hydel profit, oil and gas royalties, and funds for the merged districts are released in accordance with constitutional obligations.
