Inclement weather challenges: CM’s aide urges Centre to release financial package for KP

MANSEHRA: Adviser to Chief Minister on Tourism and Culture Zahid Chanzeb on Saturday asked the federal government to extend a special financial package to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa so that it could deal with sufferings caused by the inclement weather.

“Our province, which is confronting terrorism, is now battered by climate change, therefore, the federal government should increase our financial resources so that we could better meet these challenges,” he said while speaking to reporters here.

Zahid Chanzeb extended condolences to the families of the two brothers and their cousin who were struck by lightning in Kundaw Kari forests in Oghi. He said the recent rains caused fatalities and financial losses, adding that the government was using the available resources to deal with the situation.

“We have noticed that the federal government, which is responsible for formulating policies with regard to climate change, is showing a pathetic attitude towards the provinces particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said.

The CM’s aide said the federal government should extend the financial relief package to deal with weather emergencies and give representation to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in the policy-making process under its Carbon Plus policy.

Zahid Chanzeb said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was holding 40 per cent of the country’s forests but despite that the province was deprived of its share. “The federal government should pay KP its arrears of the net hydel profit,” he said.