PESHAWAR: Shafi Jan, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information praised the discussion regarding the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly describing it as a constructive and promising step.
Speaking to the House on Monday, he remarked that it was significant that the government and opposition shared a stance, on the NFC and the provinces financial entitlements.
He highlighted that following the Constitutional Amendment the previous FATA area was integrated into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with a defined economic promise.
Shafi Jan reminded the Assembly that the federation had pledged a 1 percent portion of the NFC Award for the districts totalling Rs. 700 Billion, over seven years. However, he noted the province had received Rs. 130 Billion thus far creating a significant financial shortfall that had obstructed development in the merged regions.
He mentioned that areas impacted by terrorism were obtaining a small portion of the pledged money, which was inadequate considering the extent of restoration and rebuilding required.
Revealing the province’s agenda, for the NFC meeting Shafi Jan mentioned that the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would attend on behalf of the province on December 4. “The Chief Minister is set to address matters concerning hydel profit unsettled oil and gas revenue payments and other pending dues ” he remarked.
He assured the House that the provincial government would present the province’s case “forcefully and comprehensively” in the upcoming session.
KP to present strong case in December 4 NFC meeting: Mina Khan Afridi
Similarly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Local Government Mina Khan Afridi has stated that the upcoming National Finance Commission(NFC) meeting scheduled for December 4 is a crucial opportunity for securing the province’s financial rights. He said the KP government has, from day one, been demanding the convening of the NFC meeting and the fair distribution of financial resources.
He affirmed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will present its case masterfully before the commission.
Speaking to the media alongside opposition members in the KP Assembly, Mina Khan Afridi emphasised that all political parties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stand united on the issue of the province’s financial rights.
He said that the distribution of financial resources among the provinces is not taking place in accordance with the Constitution, and that KP is being deprived of its rightful share.
The minister highlighted that despite a clear formula, the funds allocated for the merged districts (former FATA) have not been provided to the province. He said that from 2018 to date, the outstanding dues owed by the federal government to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have reached Rs. 1500 billion.
Discussing provincial preparations for the NFC, Mina Khan Afridi said that, on the directives of the provincial government, awareness seminars were held at universities, while consultative sessions were organised with opposition parties and stakeholders to build a unified stance.
He added that KP, in coordination with other provinces, will present additional proposals aimed at improving and strengthening the NFC Award. The minister further stated that under the AGN Kazi formula, hundreds of billions of rupees in net hydel profit arrears are also outstanding, and this critical issue will be raised firmly at the meeting.
Mina Khan Afridi said that after the merger of tribal districts, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been the frontline province in the fight against terrorism, bearing heavy security and financial burdens. Therefore, the province will demand an increase in federal allocations meant for compensating terrorism-related losses and supporting development in the merged districts.
He reaffirmed that the provincial government, backed by all political parties in the province, is fully prepared to present a strong, evidence-based case in the upcoming NFC meeting to ensure the protection of KP’s constitutional rights and financial interests.
