KP CM asks Centre to pay Rs200bn out of Rs1.51tr arrears

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Friday said he would represent the province in all constitutional forums as the chief minister.

Talking to senior journalists in Peshawar, he said Shehbaz Sharif had taken oath and he was now the constitutional prime minister.

Criticising the previous two PTI governments, he said that in 10 years, a debt of Rs1 trillion was imposed on the province while not a single project had been visible that would benefit the province. The provincial cabinet was formed in consultation with Imran Khan and ministers were appointed on merit.

The federal government should pay the arrears of Rs1.51 trillion in installments, otherwise, the people will be given relief by making cheap electricity in the province, and the subsidy amount would be deducted from the arrears. He said the major projects including Peshawar-D I Khan Motorway and New Peshawar Valley will be completed on a priority basis through Build, operate, transfer basis.

“I will meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Shehbaz has taken the oath, and, now he is constitutionally the prime minister. However, our position regarding Forms 45 and 47 will remain the same,” he said.

Ali Amin said he would use all constitutional forums, including negotiations, for the rights of the province. “We are not begging, but demanding our constitutional rights. There was more load-shedding in the province than other provinces. The government must reduce 17 percent line losses. The federal government should pay Rs200 billion out of Rs1.51 trillion immediately,” he added.

Answering a question regarding presidential elections, he said if any Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) elected member wanted to vote for Asif Ali Zardari, he should come forward openly and not vote secretly.

The KP chief minister said that law and order was an important issue and his government would strengthen the police force in the province.

“I don’t believe in political vendetta but the police was used against us. I asked them to get rid of the fake FIRs and submit the report to the courts if they have evidence,” he said.

He said that the footage of May 9 was not available, but “we have the footage of Sobia Shahid. When the incident happened, none of us was in the House. Sobia Shahid also returned to me and showed me the watch and shoes. She provoked the crowd but still, I apologised to her”.

In a lighter mode, Ali Amin said Maryam Nawaz was their opponent but he once praised her for being a beautiful woman. However, she had done face surgery but with public money.

“If it is wrong, I will apologise to Maryam Nawaz.”

He said that Maryam used abusive language against the first lady, but no one criticised her. She was given the advantage of being a woman, he added.

Ali Amin said that he would make the province stand on its feet and increase the tax net. The KP government would engage the international monetary institutions, including the IMF, but the question was that they also see if we can repay the loan.

Replying to a question regarding the provincial cabinet, he said the cabinet had been formed in consultation with Imran Khan. Muzamal Islam was a technically sound person for finance.

Referring to a question regarding Taimur Saleem Jhagra, the KP chief minister said ministers are appointed on merit.