PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) provincial chairman Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao has criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying it had failed to formulate a practical development agenda for the province.
Sherpao in a statement issued by Watan Kor, questioned the rationale behind the provincial government’s projected budget deficit of Rs48 billion.
“The government claims that the deficit will be covered through provincial savings without taking loans, but this is not a practical approach. How will the government bridge this gap if it does not resort to borrowing?” he asked.
He also termed the provincial government’s expectation of receiving Rs116 billion under Net Hydel Profit arrears unrealistic.
Criticising the budget for the fiscal year 2026–27, Sherpao said it offered no meaningful relief to the people.
He said the PTI had governed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the last 13 years but had failed to deliver on key sectors.
Calling it a “so-called tax-free budget”, he said the financial plan had been prepared without considering ground realities.
He also expressed doubts that the government would achieve its target of Rs182 billion in provincial receipts.
The QWP leader criticised the seven percent increase in salaries and pensions for government employees, saying it was insufficient in view of rising inflation.
Referring to the security situation, Sherpao said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was witnessing a resurgence of militancy and worsening law and order, yet the government had not allocated adequate resources for the police force.
He also criticised what he described as insufficient allocations for the health and education sectors and said the budget lacked any major initiatives for youth development.
Describing the budget as “a play on words”, he said it would fail to meet the government’s promises.
Sherpao further criticised the provincial government for failing to secure Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s constitutional and financial rights from the federal government.
“The PTI-led government, instead of fighting for the province’s rights, has remained focused on protests and the release of a specific individual,” he said, in an apparent reference to former prime minister Imran Khan.
He urged the provincial government to eliminate corruption and prevent misuse of public resources.
Sherpao also opposed the idea of making approval of the budget conditional upon endorsement by the PTI founder, calling the move undemocratic.
“This undermines the collective voice of the elected assembly and places the opinion of one individual above democratic norms,” he said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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