Saif demands NFC meeting ahead of budget

PESHAWAR: Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Barrister Dr Muhammad Ali Saif on Sunday called on the federal government to immediately convene a meeting of the National Finance Commission (NFC) and ensure the transfer of the constitutional share of funds allocated for the merged districts to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government before the announcement of the budget.

In a statement, Barrister Saif said the federal government was committing grave injustice by withholding funds meant for the merged districts in clear violation of the Constitution. He stressed that the arrears of net hydel profit must also be paid to the province before the budget to help the province manage its financial affairs effectively.

“The KP government intends to provide relief to the merged districts in the upcoming provincial budget, but this cannot be achieved without financial support from the federal government,” he said.

Dr Saif noted that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has formally written multiple letters to the prime minister regarding these critical matters, but no response has been received so far.

He underscored that development of the merged districts is not only a constitutional right of their residents but also essential for lasting peace in the region. “If the federal government is serious about eradicating terrorism, it must prioritize funding for the merged districts. Terrorism is not just a provincial issue. It is a national crisis, and full cooperation must be extended to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to resolve these issues.”

Saif also criticised what he described as discriminatory behavior by the federal government, urging that the province must be given its due share of resources in order to promote national unity.