K-P MPAs unite in demand for Hazara province

Govt, opp lock shields for increase in province's share in NFC

PESHAWAR:

In a rare show of legislative unity, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Assembly passed a unanimous resolution demanding the bifurcation of the province and the creation of a new Hazara province, which would comprise the Hazara region.

The opposition lent unconditional support to the provincial government in seeking the province's "rightful share" at the upcoming National Finance Commission (NFC) meeting, scheduled to be held in the federal capital on Thursday.

During the session, with Speaker Babar Saleem Swati presiding, treasury benches member Nazir Abbasi introduced a joint resolution regarding the creation of Hazara province under Article 239 of the Constitution.

The resolution urged the provincial government to complete all constitutional, legal, and administrative processes necessary for the new province and submit its recommendations to the federal government immediately.

It emphasised that consultative and administrative measures should be carried out efficiently to ensure the long-standing aspirations of the people of Hazara are fulfilled. The resolution also instructed the government to prepare a detailed plan regarding the new province's administrative structure and boundaries to prevent any delays in the constitutional process.

The assembly also unanimously approved a resolution recognising former prime minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as a "national martyr". The resolution praised his political, democratic, and national contributions and recommended that a copy be sent to the federal government to formally acknowledge his services at the national level.

Another significant resolution, presented by Awami National Party (ANP) member Nisar Baz Khan, called for curbing the use of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) against political workers.

The resolution highlighted that the law has often been misused for political vendetta, particularly against opposition members. Speaker Swati emphasised that police should not facilitate administrative actions under the MPO.

Provincial Minister Meena Khan Afridi reiterated the chief minister's stance that no political worker, regardless of party affiliation, should face punitive measures. Afridi added that the government is preparing amendments to ensure MPO is not used for political victimisation.

The assembly also addressed farmers' concerns when government member Abdul Kabir moved a resolution requesting the restoration of the tobacco quota. The quota had been reduced from 3 million tons last year to 1.5 million tons by the Pakistan Tobacco Board, causing widespread concern among growers. The resolution called for reinstating the previous year's allocation, and the house approved it unanimously.

A key focus of the session was K-P's share under the NFC, which determines the provincial allocation from the federal resources. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has formed a united front with opposition parties to claim K-P's "rightful share" in the NFC.

The province intends to demand an increase in the K-P's share from 14.6% to 19.4%. Opposition members voiced strong support for the government's stance, underlining that the issue transcends political lines and is critical for the province's development and welfare.

During the debate on the NFC, treasury members including Abdul Karim Khan, Munir Hussain Laghmani, Dawood Shah, and Special Adviser Shafi Jan highlighted that the NFC issue is not just party-specific but a matter of the province's constitutional and financial rights.

K-P also seeks to secure a higher allocation for counter-terrorism funding, previously set at 1%. Lawmakers claimed that revenues from electricity profits, water usage, and other pending dues under the NFC have yet to be disbursed to the province.

Opposition lawmakers, including Arbab Usman, Nisar Baz Khan, Sardar Shahjahan, Ahmed Kundi, Ashbar Khan Jadoon, and Amna Sardar, expressed readiness to support the provincial government in pursuing these claims at the upcoming NFC meeting on December 4. They stressed that despite three PTI governments in K-P, the province's case had not been effectively presented to the federal government in previous years.

In response, Minister Afridi elaborated on the government's position, noting that K-P has already contributed Rs80 billion of the Rs130 billion required for the expenses of the merged districts. He said that under Article 107, K-P's NFC share is 14.62%, and additional allocations must be ensured for counter-terrorism efforts.

"Securing the province's rightful share is vital for the region's development and prosperity," Afridi told the house. He underscored that these resources belong to the people of K-P and are not charity or aid. The assembly agreed to include suggestions from all stakeholders to finalise a strong and unified provincial case for the NFC.