K-P prepares 3-month interim budget

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has initiated preparations for a three-month interim budget in the absence of consultations with PTI founder Chairman Imran Khan. However, the provincial government's legal team has declared the procedure under Article 125 of the Constitution as unconstitutional.

A late-night emergency meeting of the ruling parliamentary party was held at Peshawar House in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi. The meeting reviewed the federal government's conduct, the emerging situation regarding the provincial budget, possible cuts in development funds, and the overall political landscape.

Participants reaffirmed their resolve to go to every extent necessary to safeguard the province's constitutional, financial, and political rights. The meeting decided to constitute a special team of legal experts to examine all constitutional and legal options concerning the provincial budget and to prepare a comprehensive legal strategy for the protection of the province's rights.

Sources said the meeting discussed Articles 123 and 124 of the Constitution, which allow the presentation of an interim budget for up to three months. However, the government's legal team maintained that an interim budget can only be presented in exceptional circumstances such as war, epidemic, or when a new government is being formed or the cabinet is incomplete. Therefore, the current proposed procedure was deemed unconstitutional.

The parliamentary party made it clear that any attempt to undermine the K-P budget or slash the province's development funds would not be accepted. No decision on the budget would be acknowledged without consultation with Imran Khan.

"If the federal government attempts to curtail the province's public mandate, financial rights, or developmental interests, it will face strong political resistance," the meeting resolved. It was also decided that those attempting to undermine the public mandate would be exposed on every political, constitutional, and public platform.

Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi said the year 2026-27 would be one of development, peace, and public welfare in K-P. He vowed that despite all obstacles, political pressure, and financial constraints, the province would continue moving forward on the path of progress.