Centre eyes financial control of 12 K-P districts

Finance, planning departments asked to prepare budget details

PESHAWAR:

The federal government is considering separating the financial affairs and development planning of 12 districts of K-P from the provincial government's jurisdiction, with the provincial finance and planning departments directed to complete the necessary paperwork.

According to official sources, the move follows the imposition of emergency and governor's rule in K-P, after which administrative control of the 12 districts was transferred to the federal government.

Under the proposed arrangement, authority over the preparation, consultation, approval and implementation of development projects in these districts would shift from the provincial government to the federal government.

Financial and administrative arrangements are being reviewed to determine how the proposed changes would be implemented. The sources said federal and provincial officials were in contact over the financial implications of the proposed arrangement.

The provincial finance and planning departments have reportedly been directed to compile figures relating to the development and non-development budgets of the 12 districts to facilitate a review of their financial requirements and allocation of resources.

The issue has also raised questions about the provincial government's financial share following the transfer of administrative control of four additional districts—Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Tank and Lakki Marwat—to the federal government.

Sources said uncertainty persisted over how the financial allocations for these districts would be handled under the proposed arrangement.

Under the NFC framework, changes to the distribution of financial resources among the provinces fall within the commission's constitutional mandate.

The federal government cannot unilaterally reduce K-P's share in the NFC Award merely because administrative control of certain districts has changed, the sources said.