PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi has stated a crucial meeting of the National Finance Commission (NFC) is scheduled to be held on 4th December 2025.
Addressing students at the Job Fair held at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Peshawar, the CM said that it is imperative to acquaint the province’s youth with the facts and therefore he emphasized the need for awareness seminars on the NFC and financial injustices to be held every Monday across all universities in the province.Referring to the merger of the erstwhile tribal districts with KP in 2018, the CM said that while the constitutional and administrative merger has been completed, the financial merger still remains incomplete which reflects the indifferent policy of the federal government towards the development of the merged districts in particular and the entire KP province as a whole.He clarified that following the merger, KP’s rightful share in the NFC stands at 19.4 percent, whereas the province is currently receiving only 14.6 percent, resulting in an annual financial loss of approximately Rs 400 billion. He further stated that the federal government still owes Rs 1,300 billion under the NFC framework and Rs 2,200 billion in Net Hydel Profit to the province.
Sohail Afridi has stated that the recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) report has pointed out large scale financial irregularities and a serious governance crisis within the federal system, raising grave questions over financial corruption amounting to approximately Rs 5,300 billion.
He expressed deep concern that public resources are being diverted towards the purchase of properties abroad instead of being utilized for domestic development, industry, and public welfare, while no effective accountability or scrutiny has been initiated so far.
He urged students to develop a clear understanding of the country’s financial system, federal-provincial relations, and the equitable distribution of constitutional rights.
The CM questioned the basis of Imran Khan’s conviction in the Al-Qadir Trust case, stating that the institution imparts education on the Seerat-un-Nabi (peace be upon him), while those linked to financial scandals involving Rs 5,300 billion face no meaningful accountability.
Highlighting government initiatives for students and youth, the CM said that “earlier graduates were forced to search for employers on their own, but today nearly 2,000 students have been successfully registered with various companies.”
He announced that the provincial government is working rapidly on a comprehensive internship policy for graduates to provide structured employment, skills development, and professional training opportunities.
He further assured that students who are unable to complete their education due to any reason will not be neglected, and special programmes are being developed to support them.
He also expressed satisfaction over the strong presence of female students in engineering disciplines, asserting that the daughters of KP are second to none and are excelling in every field.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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