PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s ruling party and opposition, including the governor, expressed unity over persistent injustice by the centre on the supply of wheat and the ban on CNG in the province.
Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, attended a high-level special meeting to address issues concerning wheat supply and the prolonged CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) shutdown.
The meeting also included Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Speaker of the Provincial Assembly Babar Saleem Swati, Opposition Leader Ibadullah, provincial ministers, cabinet members, government officials, opposition members, and other high-ranking officials.
The leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reached a consensus on the province’s potential energy and food crisis. They discussed a joint strategy to promptly address public issues, ensure a continuous supply of wheat, prevent a potential flour shortage, and mitigate the effects of the CNG shutdown.
The meeting evaluated the impact of the CNG shutdown on transport, industrial activities, and daily life, as well as the challenges posed by obstacles in wheat supply from Punjab. The participants consulted on directives for relevant institutions to implement immediate and effective measures.
All relevant institutions, representative organisations, and officials expressed their commitment to creating a unified action plan aimed at safeguarding the rights of the province, providing public relief, and enhancing coordination between the federal government and the province.
In a rare show of political unity, the government and opposition parties held a joint press conference at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly to address the critical issues of wheat supply and the CNG shutdown in the province. The high-profile briefing saw the participation of Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi, the Chief Minister, and the Speaker of the Provincial Assembly.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed his gratitude to the Speaker for bringing both the treasury and opposition benches together to fight for the rights of the province. He emphasised that the discussions centred entirely on the development and prosperity of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, identifying the wheat supply crisis and the CNG shutdown as the most pressing issues currently facing the region.
The Governor strongly criticised the federal government, stating that the federation has imposed a lockdown on one side while simultaneously shutting down CNG, a move that is severely affecting the poor segment of society. He declared the CNG shutdown in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa a direct violation of the constitution and stated that provincial authorities are actively in touch with the federation regarding the matter. Governor Kundi warned that the community is suffering deeply due to the dual crisis of wheat scarcity and gas closures.
Addressing the agricultural challenges, Faisal Karim Kundi highlighted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is being deprived of its rightful share of water. He asserted that if the province received its due water share, it would become self-sufficient and would not need to ask anyone else for wheat.
The Governor called upon Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to take immediate notice of the CNG shutdown and urged him to work with speed to resolve the burning issues of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Reaffirming their commitment to the public, Kundi stated that leadership stands firmly with the people on these grievances. He warned that if the poor are deprived of basic bread and CNG, they will be forced to take to the roads, reminding everyone that, having taken an oath on the constitution, they must also follow it.
