NHP, NFC Award: CM says Centre owes massive amount of money to KP

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Suhail Afridi said, federal government owes over Rs.2200 billion to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in head of net hydel profit (NHP) and another unpaid amount of Rs.1375 billion under National Finance Commission (NFC) to the merged districts of the erstwhile Federal Administered Tribal Area (FATA).

He was talking to students during his informal visit to the Department of Economics, University of Peshawar here on Thursday.

The chief minister interacted with the students and held an extensive discussion on the overall academic environment and other related matters of the university. He said that although the federal government had pledged Rs 100 billion annually for the merged districts, only Rs 168 billion had been provided in seven years, and Rs 532 billion were still due. He added that billions more in water charges were also pending with the federal government.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister directed the Vice Chancellor to present viable proposals for achieving financial self-sufficiency of the university.

While expressing his views on the provincial government’s ambitions for promoting education and research, the welfare initiatives launched for youth, and the province’s overall financial situation, the Chief Minister said that the corrupt cabal controlling the country had pushed Pakistan’s economy to the brink of collapse. He highlighted that this corrupt group sitting in the federal government committed an unprecedented corruption of Rs 5,300 billion, the consequences of which the entire nation is now facing.

He stated that, in contrast, the provincial government believes in utilising public funds strictly for public welfare and development, and concrete measures are being taken in this regard. Despite discriminatory treatment from the federal government, the provincial government continues to deliver visible progress both in settled and merged districts. “If the federal government releases the province’s due rights on time, the ongoing journey of welfare and development can move forward with even greater speed and quality,” the Chief Minister added.

The Chief Minister said that the provincial government is committed to securing the constitutional and legitimate rights of the province; however, for this purpose, the people, particularly the youth, must also raise their voices. He stressed the need for holding debates in all universities of the province on the issue of provincial rights, and said that young people must be fully aware of this situation. “The provincial government will raise its voice strongly against this injustice, and the youth must stand firm for the rights of the province,” he noted.

Discussing the law and order situation, he said that decisions made behind closed doors had caused irreversible damage to the province. However, the present government is making every possible effort to ensure peace, stability, and development.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025