Assembly rejects Centre's panel on merged districts

Passes resolution against federal interference in provincial affairs.

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution rejecting the steering committee established by the federal government to identify, recommend and implement development projects in the merged tribal districts.

Three members of the opposition, however, opposed the resolution on the grounds that it did not follow the assembly rules.

During the assembly session, tribal MPA Ajmal Khan, while presenting the resolution, said that the federal government has formed a steering committee for the accelerated implementation program (AIP) of the merged districts.

The move to form and establish the committee by the federal government is illegal and unconstitutional, as well as undemocratic and against the recommendations and agreements of the NFC, he said.

While all the provinces have gained autonomy through the 18th Constitutional Amendment, according to which the province is independent in financial matters, under the 25th Constitutional Amendment, all the administrative and economic affairs of these merged districts have been delegated to the provincial government, he argued.

Earlier, the PDM government had formed such a committee, which was strongly opposed by the previous PTI government. After that, the committee was dissolved. Therefore, we condemn this unconstitutional move and the committee be immediately be dissolved, he demanded.

On this occasion, the assembly also approved a resolution against the decision of the federal government to close utility stores.

During the meeting, treasury member Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani, while presenting a resolution in this regard, said that this house condemns the decision of the federal government under which the operations of the utility stores corporation will be suspended.

Similarly, the issue of the federal government forming the National Action Task Force (NATF) without informing the province about it was also raised as a point of objection in the assembly.

Members were informed that the federal government plans to create this task force, which may include the merger of Frontier Constabulary.

During Tuesday's session, ANP parliamentary leader Arbab Usman, speaking on a point of order, stated that the National Action Task Force is being formed with personnel from all provinces. He expressed concern about the possible merger of the FC.

He called for a unanimous rejection of this decision, emphasizing that the province needs the FC.

Law Minister Aftab Alam replied that the provincial government has no information in this regard.

Earlier, when the assembly session commenced under Deputy Speaker Suraya Bibi's Chairmanship, JUI-F member Rehana Ismail raised a point during the question hour regarding the delay in responses about the allocation of government houses. She stated, "It has been two months since I inquired about details of government housing allotments, but no reply has been provided. Retired government employees are often deprived of these houses, and merit is completely overlooked."