PESHAWAR: Shafi Jan, the Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information, has said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi will advocate for the province decisively and clearly emphasizing the need to obtain a share for KP at the National Finance Commission (NFC) meeting.
Shafi Jan highlighted that CM Sohail Afridi would strongly represent KP’s concerns, particularly in relation to the NFC quota and the unpaid hydropower revenues due from the federal government. He noted that the federal government had pledged to provide 100 billion rupees every year following the merger of FATA, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa yet these funds remain unreleased as guaranteed.
Moreover, CM Afridi is anticipated to highlight issues regarding the allocation of funds and the inadequate monetary backing for the War on Terror. Shafi Jan also disclosed that KP is presently owed 3,500 billion rupees by the government, which poses a significant challenge for the province’s progress.
Although FATA has been administratively merged KP’s portion, in the NFC has not been raised, which CM Afridi intends to emphasize in the meeting. Shafi Jan emphasized that the population and territory of the merged districts must be included in the NFC formula guaranteeing KP obtains its proper share.
Shafi Jan also condemned the existing NFC arrangement stating that the allocation is split among three and a half provinces, which contradicts the essence of the Constitution. He further mentioned that the government’s postponement in releasing funds has caused a rise in security problems in the merged districts impacting the residents’ lives.
Shafi Jan noted that both the government and opposition in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa share a unified stance on this issue and that the provincial government would make every possible effort to ensure KP receives its rightful share in the upcoming NFC award.
NFC meeting today: Provinces to present financial briefings
The 11th National Finance Commission (NFC) session is scheduled for today, during which the four provinces will deliver 10-minute updates, on their conditions.
This meeting, led by Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb will also feature the finance ministers and private members. Additionally, the Ministry of Finance will share its status during the event.
The main objective of the meeting is to arrange talks and establish a timeline for deciding the new NFC Award. Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stated that the meeting will include listening to the provinces issues and outlining the financial status in a cooperative spirit cantered on Pakistan First.
