KP deserves constitutional rights after sacrifices against terrorism: Governor Kundi

PESHAWAR, Jul 17 (APP): Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Friday said the people of the province and security forces had rendered unprecedented sacrifices in the war against terrorism, stressing that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must receive its constitutional and financial rights.

Addressing the First Achievement Awards 2026 ceremony organized by the Haripur Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Governor House, he said the opposition would stand with the government on every issue concerning the province’s interests and play its role for the development and prosperity of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Governor said the province should raise its voice for its constitutional rights through constitutional and legal means.

Iran’s Consul General Ali Banafshehkhah, Haripur Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Syed Ahmad Jan, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Junaid Altaf, traders, industrialists and members of the business community attended the event.

Achievement awards were distributed among businessmen in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the national economy.

Congratulating the award recipients, Governor Kundi said providing maximum facilities and support to the business community remained a government priority. He said traders, farmers and overseas Pakistanis played a vital role in strengthening the country’s economy, adding that better facilities for them could help reduce dependence on foreign loans.

He said if taxes were being imposed in the erstwhile FATA and PATA regions, traders there should also be provided facilities equal to those available in other parts of the country.

The Governor said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was rich in natural resources, but these had not been utilized effectively. He added that despite the powers granted under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the province had not fully benefited from them.

He said the promised Rs100 billion annual allocation for the merged districts had yet to be released, while more than Rs250 billion in federal dues for the districts also remained outstanding.

Governor Kundi said KP was the country’s largest producer of oil and gas, yet it did not have a single oil refinery. He also said the province was not receiving its due share of wheat and water, adding that adequate water allocation could enable KP to meet Pakistan’s wheat requirements.

He called for the formation of a parliamentary committee to pursue the province’s constitutional and financial rights and demanded early recruitment against 14,000 vacant WAPDA posts in the province. He also assured that he would take up electricity-related issues with the federal government.

Referring to regional affairs, the Governor said Pakistan’s armed forces had effectively responded to Indian aggression within four days, demonstrating the country’s commitment to peace and national defence. He also appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role during tensions between Iran and the United States and expressed the resolve to further strengthen trade ties with Iran.

Earlier, representatives of the business community highlighted their issues, proposals and demands, while the Governor assured them of his full cooperation in addressing their concerns.