PESHAWAR: The President of the Awami National Party (ANP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, has termed the Punjab government’s decision to stop the supply of wheat and flour to Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Azad Kashmir as a clear violation of the constitution, federal principles and provincial rights.
In a statement issued by the ANP Markaz, the ANP provincial president, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, stated that whenever Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faces difficulties, Punjab closes its doors to it, while the KP resources, including oil, electricity, gas and coal, were being provided to Punjab, but when it is their turn, they were deprived of flour and wheat.
“We believe that Pakistan consists of four provinces, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have just as much right to its resources as Punjab, but the impression is often given that Punjab is synonymous with Pakistan,” ANP KP chief said and added that Punjab government had even stated that if wheat was caught being transported to another province, it would be considered smuggling.
Mr Hussain said describing the supply of food within a country as smuggling was tantamount to undermining the spirit of the centre. This is a new and cruel policy aimed at pressuring provinces by denying them essential resources. Such practices are extremely shameful.
ANP leader said that when resources were being transported to Punjab without restriction, they were not labelled as smuggling, but if they demand their share of wheat and flour, it is deemed a crime. This attitude fosters mistrust and hatred between the provinces within the centre.
Mian Iftikhar Hussain highlighted that Punjab government has halted the supply of wheat at both inter-provincial and inter-district levels and has set up strict controls and checkpoints on warehouses. Additionally, the supply of wheat purchased for Azad Kashmir has been stopped. This policy has led to a severe shortage of flour in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, resulting in exorbitant prices that are unbearable for the poor.
He raised the question: if this decision is meant to represent the centre, does it imply that the federation exists only for Punjab? Are the other provinces not part of this centre? Such measures are detrimental to the unity and survival of Pakistan.
The ANP leader argued that if they lack electricity and water, then wheat production in Punjab should cease. This wheat can only thrive with the water and electricity that we provide, so we have an equal right to it as the people of Punjab.
Referring to the ongoing violence in the province, he stated that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been embroiled in conflict for the past 45 years. Recently, four innocent children were martyred in a drone strike in the Laghrai area of Bajaur. The provincial government claimed that this was a targeted operation and that the area had been cleared of terrorists. So, were these innocent children terrorists? Earlier, 21 innocent people were killed in Tirah. What kind of justice is this? On one hand, we face lethal assaults from bullets and bombs, while on the other, we are being starved.
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Mian Iftikhar Hussain demanded that the Punjab government immediately lift the ban on the supply of wheat and flour, provide the provinces with their rightful share, and recognise that Pakistan is not just the name of Punjab, but encompasses all four provinces.”
