CM makes pitch for K-P role in talks with Kabul

Gandapur warns excluding the province will render negotiations incomplete

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has demanded that the K-P government be made a part of peace talks with neighboring Afghanistan, warning that excluding the province would render the negotiations incomplete.

Addressing a jirga in Peshawar, K-P Chief Minister Gandapur extended felicitations to the entire nation over a befitting response to Indian aggression, saying that PTI founding chairman Imran Khan, despite being unjustly imprisoned, united the entire nation against Indian hostilities—proving himself a true leader.

Expressing his gratitude to Imran Khan and his supporters, Gandapur said their unwavering stance was instrumental in defending Pakistan. "Despite political differences, we have forged national unity for the sake of the country's sovereignty and integrity," he said.

The chief minister also called on the federal government to avoid imposing taxes on the erstwhile FATA and PATA regions, arguing that the local population is not financially capable of bearing such burdens. "These areas have been severely affected by the war on terror and require significant investment," he emphasized.

Highlighting the sacrifices of people from merged districts, the chief minister urged the federal government to fulfill all promises made to them.

He demanded immediate release of compensation money for people displaced from these regions and called for an end to drone strikes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, citing civilian casualties.

He also demanded immediate inclusion of the merged districts' share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) award. "We are not asking for another province's share — we're demanding our rightful due," he said.

The chief minister further urged the federal government to release all pending dues owed to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including net hydel profit and the province's full share in tobacco cess. "These are the rightful entitlements of our people," he asserted.

In his address, the chief minister urged the reinstatement of the traditional jirga system to sustainably resolve disputes in the merged districts.

He also demanded Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's inclusion in peace talks with neighboring Afghanistan, warning that excluding the province would render the negotiations incomplete.