QWP leader terms KP budget jugglery of words

PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) provincial Chairman Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao on Saturday said the provincial budget for financial year 2024-25 was a political stunt and the government would be unable to receive the money it was hoping for.

In a statement, he said the budget was a jugglery of words to deceive the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that this would turn out to be a deficit budget. Quoting the budget figures, Sikandar Sherpao said the provincial government had presented a budget for financial year 2023-24 with a total volume of Rs1456 billion, but the actual figures stood at Rs1074 billion. This year, he added, the government presented the budget with a total outlay of Rs1754 billion but this would turn out to be a deficit budget like the previous one. He said it was strange the meeting of the National Economic Council was yet to take place wherein the federal government conveyed the official figures about budget allocation, but the provincial government presented its budget prematurely.

Explaining his argument, he said on the one hand, the provincial government was criticizing the Centre for the poor economic condition of the country but on the other hand it was hoping to receive increased share under the federal transfers, which belied its stance.

He said the provincial government was using various pressure tactics to get relief for the PTI and former prime minister Imran Khan. Sikandar Sherpao said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was facing three main issues i.e. poor economic situation, rising acts of terrorism and worsening law and order. The QWP leader said the people were facing the brunt of the poor governance, therefore, the provincial government should avoid indulging in confrontation with the Centre and focus on getting the rights of the province.

He said a new National Finance Commission Award should be announced wherein the shares of the provinces should be enhanced.

Criticizing the federal government, he said the Centre should pay KP its outstanding arrears on account of net hydel profit. He said it seemed the federal government was also not sincere to pay KP its NHP arrears. The QWP leader said the powers that be were also least bothered about the issues being faced by KP. He added it seemed the federal government and the powers that be had left the KP people at the mercy of the ‘TikTok’ government.