PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has expressed reservation over a committee, formed by the federal government, to oversee funds for the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In a letter written to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Gandapur expressed concerns regarding the committee’s handling of funds allocated for the merged districts, following the 25th constitutional amendment.
He alleged that after the 25th amendment, the provincial government has full administration authority over the merged districts, adding that the formation of the federal committee was not only unconstitutional but also undermined the province’s authority.
“This notification of the committee is a violation of the constitution and an infringement on the provincial government’s authority. The federal government should revoke this notification,” the letter read.
Gandapur also warned of taking a legal way if the federal government failed to resolve this issue.
The KP chief minister informed the federal government to ensure the funding for merged tribal districts is part of the province’s share in the seventh National Finance Commission Award.
“Any further extension of the seventh NFC Award without addressing this essential issue will not be acceptable and will constitute a continued violation of our constitutional rights,” the letter noted.
@The merger of Fata with KP in 2018 fundamentally redefined the province’s geography and demographic composition, but the seventh NFC Award continues to disregard this constitutional transformation. This omission undermines the constitutional framework and principles of federalism, depriving 6.4 million residents of merged districts of their rightful share in national resources.”
