Peshawar – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan has announced that the provincial government will stage a protest demonstration in Islamabad on June 12 to press for the province’s constitutional and financial rights. In a statement issued following the meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), the minister said Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi had forcefully presented Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s case before the forum and effectively advocated the interests of the province and its people.
Positive outcome from federal assurance
Shafi Jan welcomed the federal government’s assurance that the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award would be updated, describing the development as a positive outcome of the provincial government’s efforts. He said the proposed inclusion of the merged districts’ financial share in the new NFC Award would bring significant benefits to the province, particularly to residents of the erstwhile tribal districts.
Top priority for provincial government
The minister maintained that safeguarding the constitutional and financial rights of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained a top priority of the provincial government. He said Chief Minister Afridi had consistently raised issues relating to the province’s rights at constitutional and national forums and would continue to do so.
Shafi Jan stressed that the provincial government was not seeking concessions from the federation but was demanding what he described as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s constitutional and legal entitlements. He argued that sustainable development and long-term stability in both the settled and merged districts would not be possible without adequate financial resources and the full inclusion of the merged areas in federal fiscal arrangements.
Outstanding dues and development plans
The minister further claimed that the federal government owed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa billions of rupees under various heads, including NFC arrears, reimbursements related to the war against terrorism and net hydel profit payments. He said that once these outstanding dues were released, the funds would be utilised for development projects, public welfare programmes and the provision of essential services across the province.
Protest announcement
Announcing the planned protest in Islamabad, Shafi Jan said the provincial government would continue its struggle for the protection of constitutional rights, equitable distribution of resources and the safeguarding of public interests.
