K-P Assembly unanimously passes resolution on creation of Hazara province

In a historic unanimous decision, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has passed a resolution calling for the creation of Hazara as a separate province.

The resolution urges the provincial government to complete all constitutional and legal arrangements and forward its recommendations to the federal government so that the long-standing demand of Hazara people is fulfilled.

The resolution, presented by ruling party member Nazir Abbasi, emphasises immediate initiation of the constitutional process under Article 239 of the Constitution for the establishment of Hazara province. It further recommends that the provincial government finalise administrative structures, boundaries, and other required arrangements in a timely and efficient manner to avoid any delays.

In addition to the resolution to create Hazara province, the assembly unanimously approved a motion to recognise the late former prime minister and PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as a national martyr. The resolution lauded Bhutto’s political, democratic, and national contributions and recommended sending a copy of the resolution to the federal government for official acknowledgment.

Separately, a resolution was approved, calling for restriction on the use of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance against political workers. ANP member Nisar Baz Khan highlighted that MPO provisions have often been used for retaliatory actions against political activists. 

Provincial Minister Meena Khan Afridi reiterated that the chief minister’s position is to prevent punitive measures against political workers, regardless of party affiliation, and that the government is preparing amendments to the MPO law.

The assembly also addressed agricultural concerns, passing a resolution to maintain last year’s tobacco quota of 30 million tons after the Pakistan Tobacco Board reduced it to 15 million tons, causing apprehension among local farmers.

Meanwhile, ahead of the upcoming National Finance Commission (NFC) meeting on December 4, K-P government members and opposition parties expressed unified support to demand a larger provincial share. The government aims to increase K-P’s NFC allocation from 14.6 per cent to 19.4 per cent, including a one-per cent allocation for counter-terrorism, reflecting the province’s increased population and the integration of former tribal districts.

Speaking in the assembly, Minister Meena Khan Afridi emphasised that K-P is not seeking charity but asserting its constitutional right. He noted that the province has already borne significant expenses, including Rs80 billion for merged districts, and is entitled to its full share of federal resources.

Opposition members also pledged support, calling for a collaborative approach to secure K-P’s rightful allocations. The assembly session, presided over by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, concluded with unanimous endorsement of all resolutions, signaling a unified provincial stance on administrative, political, and financial issues.