CCI meeting: CM successfully defends KP’s rights, says Saif

PESHAWAR: Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Barrister Dr Muhammd Ali Saif on Tuesday stated that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur successfully defended the constitutional rights of the province in the Council of Common Interests (CCI).

In a statement, he said that the share of the merged districts in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award was the legal and constitutional right of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to Barrister Saif, the chief minister briefed the Council on both critical issues and formal letters have been sent to the federal government, though no response has been received so far.

He informed that both matters would be included in the agenda of the upcoming CCI meeting. Saif added that after the merger, the merged districts were an integral and constitutional part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and it is unlawful for the federation to withhold their rightful share.

He further stressed that the development of merged districts was the top priority of the provincial government. “The federal government should stop using delaying tactics and instead support the province,” he said, adding, “Development in these regions is vital for eliminating terrorism.” “Terrorism is not just a provincial or regional issue. It is a national challenge,” he went on to add. “The step motherly treatment of the merged districts must end,” he added.