On Thursday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur requested that authorities permit five to six members from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to meet the incarcerated party founder, Imran Khan, to finalize the provincial budget.
He cautioned the federal government that the KP government would withhold its support for the conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) if these meetings were not allowed.
Gandapur’s statement comes as both federal and provincial governments are in the process of preparing their budgets for the upcoming fiscal year.
Last year, the federal government and the provinces established a National Fiscal Pact aimed at cooperation on a 19-point agenda, which included discontinuing provincial support and procurement prices for various commodities.
This pact was signed to fulfill the International Monetary Fund’s requirements under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
The News reported that the governments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the federal government regarding the sharing of fiscal responsibilities on June 27, July 30, July 12, and July 26 of this year, respectively.
Speaking to the media after meeting PTI founder Imran Khan at Adiala jail, Gandapur reiterated the need for the supremacy of the Constitution and “real democracy” in the country, asserting that PTI’s “stolen mandate” should be restored in the national interest.
He also demanded that the courts deliver verdicts on the cases against PTI leaders.
The provincial chief executive stated that Khan is prepared to engage in negotiations for the betterment of Pakistan and should be immediately released. Gandapur also expressed optimism for the party founder’s swift release from jail.
The Chief Minister added that the KP government’s budget would be “the best” and claimed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the only province that has achieved all its targets.
Criticizing the Centre, he stated that they would not participate in negotiations with the IMF if the federal government did not alter its current approach.
When questioned about a Rs40 billion corruption scandal, the KP CM suggested that former Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and the then-finance minister should be interrogated.
He claimed that his administration has already recovered Rs20 billion and is committed to recovering the remaining embezzled funds.
