KP CM, Fazl united by grievances against Centre

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman criticised the federal government’s handling of the National Finance Commission award, with the chief minister saying that Islamabad had treated the province ‘like a stepchild’ for eight years. Addressing a joint press conference after a meeting, the two presented a united front over what they described as the federal government’s longstanding neglect of the province. The JUI-F leader described the emerging engagement between the two parties as a positive beginning. CM Afridi said the purpose of the meeting was to hold detailed discussions on the pressing issues facing the province. He argued that the current NFC distribution formula was unconstitutional, and specifically flagged the issue of the former tribal districts, which have a population of over six million people but have not received their rightful share. Instead, he said, other provinces were dividing FATA’s due share among themselves, leaving tribal communities marginalised. The KP CM also questioned the suspension of wheat supply, calling it a violation of the Constitution. He also noted that while KP produces gas for the entire country, the province itself is being denied adequate supply. Speaking to reporters, the Maulana said there was broad agreement among both sides on a range of demands. He stressed that provincial autonomy must be guaranteed for all provinces, and that the federal government could not be allowed to seize the resources of a province’s people and deprive them of their rights. He echoed Afridi’s concerns on wheat, noting that the issue had persisted since Shehbaz Sharif’s tenure as chief minister of Punjab. He also dismissed earlier justifications about wheat smuggling to Afghanistan, asking what basis remained for such claims now that the border was closed. On security, the JUI-F chief painted a grim picture, saying the law and order situation in the province was deteriorating, with gover