KP to participate in NFC session despite reservations: CM Afridi

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has announced that Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf-led provincial government will attend the National Finance Commission (NFC) meeting on December 4, saying the province will “fight its cause and that of its people in the best possible manner.”

The 11th NFC was formed on August 22 to finalize a new price for the distribution of divisible federal resources between the center and the provinces. Its first session, scheduled for August 27, was postponed several times – first to August 29, then to November 17 and 18 – for unspecified reasons and at the request of the Sindh government and the Prime Minister’s Office.

Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Afridi said the federal government owes Rs1.3 trillion under the NFC, while pointing out that although the erstwhile tribal districts were administratively merged with the province in 2018, their financial integration was not yet complete.

“NFC share for merged districts has not been returned to KP since 2018,” he said, terming the delay a “constitutional violation”.

Afridi urged the federal government to consider KP’s proposals for lasting peace, warning that “decisions taken behind closed doors” negatively affect the province. He added that if the Center adopted the province’s recommendations, the KP government would take responsibility for their implementation and maintenance of law and order, stressing that all stakeholders must be included in decisions regarding peace.

The chief minister claimed that “those who hold real power” have sought to push the PTI towards confrontation, but asserted that the party would remain peaceful while “not hesitating to make sacrifices”.

He claimed that peaceful protesters had been fired upon and that PTI founder Imran Khan was being held in solitary confinement, with his family members, including his sisters, being denied visits.

Read: Kundi denies any attempt to impose governor’s rule in KP

Afridi said PTI parliamentarians would stage a peaceful protest outside the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday and accompany Khan’s sisters to Adiala jail, with the provincial government following the directives of party leaders. He added that he personally attempted to visit Khan on November 27 after receiving information about his health, but was denied permission, despite staging a nighttime sit-in outside the prison.

CM Afridi alleged that even though some chief ministers enjoy privileges such as use of PAF planes, his own name had been included in a passport control list.

Responding to questions, Afridi said no part of KP was under the control of militants, although he claimed – without naming anyone – that “the entire country is under the control of one person”.

He also clarified that his family owns land in the Tirah Valley, while he himself does not own any property.

Terming a recent documentary on him as a distraction, Afridi added: “The public knows everything. They know who is lying. We want everyone to focus on their responsibilities – only then will the country progress.”

PTI warns against protest outside Adiala jail

KP CM’s Special Assistant on Information Shafee Jan has warned of a protest outside Adiala jail if permission is not granted to meet the PTI founder.

Speaking to the media, Jan said all members of the National and Provincial Assemblies are planning to approach the High Court on Tuesday. “We will visit Adiala jail with Imran Khan’s family. If we are denied a meeting with his sisters, a sit-in and protest will follow,” he said.

He noted that Khan has not been allowed to visit his family since November 4, raising concerns about his health. Shafee Jan criticized the ruling PML-N, saying that while its leaders met their “criminal” leader in London and consulted the cabinet during Nawaz Sharif’s stay abroad, they now fear Khan’s statements and images.

Read: KP CM Afridi heads probe into NA-18 Haripur bypoll

“Imran Khan remains the most popular political leader in the country and attempts are being made to silence him. The people have elected PTI representatives on the promise of his release, and the only question from the public is: when will Imran Khan be released?” he added.

Jan also accused the federal government of neglecting funds for merged districts and police capacity building, saying over Rs 3 trillion is owed under the NFC, NHP and oil and gas reserves. He stressed that on December 4, the province will present strong arguments at the NFC meeting.