Urges the federal government to immediately implement the constitutional process on the resolution
KP Assembly in session. PHOTO: AFP
In a historic unanimous decision, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly passed a resolution calling for the creation of Hazara as a separate province.
The resolution urges the provincial government to finalize all constitutional and legal arrangements and convey its recommendations to the federal government so that the long-pending demand of the Hazara people is met.
The resolution, presented by ruling party member Nazir Abbasi, emphasizes the immediate initiation of the constitutional process under Article 239 of the Constitution for the creation of Hazara province. It further recommends that the provincial government finalize the necessary administrative structures, boundaries and other arrangements in a timely and efficient manner to avoid any delays.
Besides the resolution to create Hazara province, the assembly unanimously approved a motion to recognize the late former prime minister and PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as a national martyr. The resolution praised Bhutto’s political, democratic and national contributions and recommended sending a copy of the resolution to the federal government for official recognition.
Separately, a resolution was approved calling for restricting the use of the Public Order Ordinance (MPO) against political workers. Nisar Baz Khan, a member of the ANP, pointed out that the provisions of the MPO have often been used for reprisals against political activists.
Provincial Minister Meena Khan Afridi reiterated that the chief minister’s position is to prevent punitive measures against political workers, irrespective of their party affiliation, and the government is preparing amendments to the MPO Act.
The assembly also addressed agricultural concerns, passing a resolution to maintain last year’s tobacco quota at 30 million tonnes after the Pakistan Tobacco Board reduced it to 15 million tonnes, sparking apprehension among local farmers.
Meanwhile, ahead of the upcoming National Finance Commission (NFC) meeting on December 4, members of the KP government and opposition parties have expressed united support to demand a larger provincial share. The government aims to increase KP’s NFC allocation from 14.6 percent to 19.4 percent, including a 1 percent allocation for counter-terrorism, reflecting the province’s increasing population and integration of erstwhile tribal districts.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Meena Khan Afridi stressed that KP is not seeking charity but asserting its constitutional right. He noted that the province has already incurred significant expenditure, including Rs80 billion for the merged districts, and is entitled to its full share of federal resources.
Opposition members also pledged their support, calling for a collaborative approach to secure KP’s legitimate allocations. The assembly session, chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, concluded with unanimous approval of all resolutions, signaling a unified provincial stand on administrative, political and financial matters.
