KP govt secures major victory for provincial rights at NEC: minister
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan has said that the provincial government has achieved a significant success in safeguarding province’s constitutional and financial rights during meeting of National Economic Council (NEC).
In a statement regarding provincial government’s principled stance at NEC meeting, Shafi Jan said that NEC meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by chief ministers of all provinces and senior government officials. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was represented by Muhammad Sohail Afridi, who was also accompanied by the Advisor on Finance Muzammil Aslam and Chief Secretary.
Shafi Jan said that meeting reviewed the Annual Development Programme and national development initiatives. The KP government strongly raised issue of non-provision of NFC resources for merged districts.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi maintained that despite merger of erstwhile FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resource distribution formula had not been revised accordingly, placing an additional financial burden on province.
He emphasized that development of merged districts is contingent upon fair allocation of financial resources. According to Shafi Jan, the PM acknowledged Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s demand as a constitutional and legitimate right.
The prime minister assured the meeting that efforts would be made to resolve issue within six months. If a consensus-based solution is not reached within stipulated period, Prime Minister will advise the President of Pakistan to exercise powers under Article 160(6) of Constitution to update the NFC formula through constitutional and legal means.
Shafi Jan described this development as first formal progress at the federal level regarding the rights of merged districts.
Provincial Minister for Information further stated that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also raised the issue of restrictions on inter-provincial movement of wheat and flour.
He argued that such restrictions were contrary to constitutional guarantee of free trade. Taking notice of the matter, the prime minister directed the immediate removal of all such restrictions.
The meeting also agreed that PASSCO would provide wheat to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in accordance with existing agreements. Furthermore, consensus was reached on addressing province’s additional requirements.
Shafi Jan said that Chief Minister also clarified the province’s position regarding proposals for financial arrangements linked to national strategic requirements.
He categorically stated that any matter carrying significant financial and political implications would require consultation with and approval from the party’s leader Imran Khan, before any final commitment or decision could be made. Provincial government could not make any binding commitment without such approval.
The provincial minister further said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa delegation effectively defended province’s constitutional rights during the meeting and strongly advocated for equitable financial resources and constitutional justice for merged districts. He termed the outcomes of meeting a major achievement for the province.
Shafi Jan reiterated that provincial government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, would continue its efforts to protect rights and interests of people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and would pursue every available constitutional and legal avenue for this purpose.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026