CM stresses rights of smaller units

NOWSHERA: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak on Saturday urged the federal government to show magnanimity and give due rights to smaller federating units to remove sense of deprivation among the people.

“We supported the issues on the agenda of the meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI). But we just want the federal government to give the rights to smaller provinces without any delay,” he said while addressing a public meeting in Jaba Daudzai here.

Pervez Khattak said that the decision to hold the census was a good one and was the longstanding demand of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. “We welcome this decision as it would help ensure justified distribution of resources among the provinces,” he added.  

He said that resources were distributed on the basis of population and the census and merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would bring more benefits to the province.

He said that the share of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would increase in the national resources after the merger of Fata into the province.

“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would also get maximum representation in the Upper and Lower houses of the parliament as well,” he added.

He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was not against the development of Punjab province but wanted due rights for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The chief minister said that there was no financial crisis in the province, adding the opposition parties were spreading rumors to befool the masses.

“Our performance is an open secret to all. The people are satisfied with the government performance,” he added.

Criticising the rival political parties, Pervez Khattak alleged that the Awami National Party and Pakistan People’s Party’s previous government in the province promoted corruption and culture of sifarish.

“That is why the people are joining the PTI in droves,” he maintained. He said that the PTI would win the general elections and form government in the Centre and all the provinces on the basis of performance of the party-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

On the occasion, several of activists of ANP announced joining the PTI.

Provincial Minister for Excise and Taxation Mian Jamsheduddin Kakakhel, District Nazim Liaqat Khattak, Member National Assembly Imran Khattak and others also spoke on the occasion.

Later, the chief minister went to the residence of Qazi Manzoorul Haq in Nowshera Kalan and offered condolence to him over the death of his son.