Afridi threatens NEC boycott over rights

CM accuses Centre of 'discriminatory attitude' towards K-P; raises concern over funds, gas supply

PESHAWAR:

A federal negotiating team led by Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal held a detailed meeting with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Monday.

The discussions covered a wide range of inter-provincial matters, including consultations with PTI Chairman Imran Khan, the upcoming National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, the province's constitutional and financial rights, development funds for the merged districts, energy issues, wheat supply, hydropower projects, and other key issues.

Chief Minister Afridi conveyed to the federal delegation that K-P has been consistently subjected to discriminatory and unfair treatment. He warned that if the denial of the province's legitimate constitutional and financial rights continues, participation in the NEC meeting would become difficult.

He emphasised that consultation with Imran Khan before important budget decisions and national-level matters is essential.

Afridi highlighted that continuous cuts in the province's development and financial shares have reached alarming levels.

He further stated that the NFC share of the merged districts has been unconstitutionally withheld for the past eight years, severely hampering development and public welfare in these areas.

"It is unfortunate that after every meeting with federal representatives, instead of resolving issues, we see more injustices being inflicted on the province," the Chief Minister remarked.

The CM also strongly raised issues related to obstacles in wheat supply from Punjab, the province's gas rights, and problems with hydropower projects.

Regarding the completed dam project in Swat, Afridi said that despite its completion, the project remains non-operational because No Objection Certificates (NOCs) have not been issued to Chinese engineers, affecting both national resources and public interest. Similarly, he pointed out that the bus terminal project, though complete, cannot be utilised due to the delay in NOC from the National Highway Authority.

In response, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal assured the provincial government that the required NOC for the bus terminal project would be issued within 24 hours.