ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has given great news to the people of the province after an important meeting with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and an important meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC).
Talking to the media after the meeting, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said that he has vigorously fought the case of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the forum and ensured the protection of the constitutional and financial rights of the province.
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has assured that the National Finance Commission (NFC) award will be updated soon. He clarified that if a consensus could not be reached on this issue within the next 180 days, the NFC award will be updated through a presidential order, the biggest achievement of, which will be that the financial share of the merged districts of FATA will also be regularly included in the new award.
Sohail Afridi said that as a result of successful negotiations with the federation, the issue of the proposed cut in the Accelerated Development Program (AIP) has improved to a great extent, and he strongly hopes that the Annual Development Program (ADP) of the merged districts and the budget sections of the AIP will further improve, which will accelerate the development process in these backward areas.
Speaking about food security and wheat supply in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Chief Minister said that under Article 151 of the Constitution, it is the responsibility of the federation to ensure free movement of essential commodities across the country.
In this regard, under the agreement reached with the federal government, 175,000 tons of wheat will be provided to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the federation has also given a firm assurance that there will be no increase in the prices of wheat.
Talking about political and welfare issues, he said that the ongoing public welfare projects in the province, such as Sehat Card, Ehsaas Program, and Shelter Homes, will continue successfully, and no obstacles will be allowed to come in their way. Apart from this, a response will be received from the federation soon on political issues.
Expressing an important commitment regarding the environment, the Chief Minister said that 26.7 percent of the area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa consists of forests, and the provincial government will allocate special funds for their protection and further promotion.
Read also: NFC Update, Wheat Supply Assured as CM Afridi Highlights Wins for KP
