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PESHAWAR, Dec 04 (APP): Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shafi Jan on Thursday said that CM Sohail Afridi has presented the province’s case in National Finance Commission (NFC) meeting effectively.
He said the chief minister alongwith his team, participated in the NFC meeting with full preparation and presented the province’s case effectively, logically, and strongly.
In a statement here, he said that the chief minister also raised in detail the matter of NFC shares and the outstanding payments of net hydel profit. The CM clearly expressed his concerns regarding the insufficient allocation of funds and the inadequate resources for the war against terror.
In the 11th NFC meeting, he said the chief minister demanded an increase in the share allocated for the former FATA from 1% to 3% to support its financial merger, and raising the province’s overall NFC share from 14.62 to 19.62.
The Special Assistant said the province’s rights would be strongly advocated at every forum.
Shafi Jan said it was promised to provide 100 billion rupees annually at the time of the merger of the former FATA.
Out of the promised 700 billion rupees, he said that 532 billion rupees are still outstanding.
Around 3,500 billion rupees in net hydel profit and other dues are owed to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Despite the administrative merger, the NFC share was not increased, which has severely affected the development of tribal districts.
The chief minister also demanded a reassessment of the province’s NFC share by including the population and land area of the merged districts.
The financial delays are also giving rise to law and order issues in the merged districts.
The Special Assistant said it is encouraging that both the government and the opposition in the province hold a unified stance on the NFC Award share.
He said every possible effort will be made to secure the province’s rightful financial entitlements.
He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the province that has endured severe economic pressure due to terrorism, unrest, and natural disasters, yet despite all challenges it has always played a key role in the country’s overall development.
Shafi Jan said that the Chief Minister’s participation in the NFC meeting and the strong presentation of the province’s case is a historic moment.
Under the CM’s instructions, awareness seminars on NFC shares and the financial challenges faced by the province were also held in universities, with the aim of educating youth about provincial resources, NFC shares, and financial issues so that every segment of society can play an effective role in securing the province’s rightful financial rights.
He expressed hope that the federal government will accept the province’s demands regarding outstanding dues and other legitimate financial rights, because protecting the constitutional and financial rights of provinces is the foundation of national unity within Pakistan’s federal structure this is why the NFC Award holds central importance.