PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi launched a project for Peshawar’s beautification with the aim to restore the historic glory of the provincial capital the other day.
Under the initiative, rehabilitation of roads infrastructure, installation of streetlights, vehicular traffic de-cognition measures, installation of sculptures, and development of green areas and other beautification measures will be carried out.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Afridi said that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have voted for Imran Khan’s vision for the third time, and “we will provide them every possible facility.” He added that all laws and policies introduced in the province will focus solely on public welfare and the greater public interest.
He further said that “some ill-informed individuals” question the one percent share Khyber Pakhtunkhwa receives under the NFC Award for war against terrorism, but they ignore the fact that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has made the greatest sacrifices in that war.” He stated that other provinces receive more funds under various heads, while KP continues to face financial discrimination.
Speaking about the federal government’s outstanding dues, the Chief Minister said that Rs. 2,200 billion in net hydel profit payments are pending with the federation, yet no one speaks about it.
He added that the federal government had pledged Rs. 100 billion annually for the merged districts, but the pledged funds were not released and Rs. 550 billion, owed to the merged districts remains unpaid. “The administrative merger of the former FATA has taken place, but its financial merger has not yet,” he said.
Overall, the Chief Minister stated that Rs. 3,000 billion are outstanding against the federal government. He remarked that KP’s rightful share in the NFC Award stands at 19.4 percent, but the province is given only 14.6 percent. “We demand our full rights. The federal government is treating Khyber Pakhtunkhwa like a stepchild.”
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025