LOWER DIR/BAJAUR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has claimed the federal government has cut the funds meant for the merged districts and also slashed the province’s share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) award to ‘cripple’ his government financially.

He stated this while addressing the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf workers at the Timergara Shaheed Chowk, and later talking to the media on Wednesday.

The CM said the federal government had withheld Rs62 billion payments to the province, which was violation of the Constitution.

Mahmood said he was visiting Lower and Upper Dir and Bajaur to motivate party workers to join Imran Khan’s ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’ march.

Castigates centre for ‘slashing’ funds for tribal districts

He said PTI had been struggling only for fresh, fair and transparent elections in the country as the people were not ready to accept the ‘imported’ government.

The rally was also addressed by former federal minister Murad Saeed.

Earlier, on his arrival to Timergara, Lower Dir deputy commissioner Mohammad Zubair Khan briefed the chief minister regarding the ongoing development projects in the district.

Mahmood Khan inaugurated the construction of Balambat children park, Timergara-Khwar road, Andheri bridge, Kumbar-Maidan bypass road, Taka Tak-Haya Serai bridge, Maidan-Barawl tunnel and upgradation of Category-D Hospital Lal Qila to Category-C. He also announced improvement of the Jail-Timergara road and establishment of Talash tehsil.

The chief minister directed the departments concerned to complete the ongoing development projects as soon as possible.

Addressing the workers, Murad Saeed said PTI wanted ‘real independence’ in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, talking to mediapersons at the Governor’s Cottage in Khar, Bajaur, Mahmood Khan accused the federal government of attempting to impose the governor’s rule in the province. He, however, said the ‘imported’ government could not do so as his government had two-third majority in the assembly.

He warned his government and people of the province would show strong resistance if the federal government resorted to the ‘unconstitutional’ act.

Mahmood said he won’t allow the federal government to financially destabilise the province by ‘withholding’ its funds.

The chief minister said the federal government had stopped development funds for the tribal districts. He recalled the federal government had committed to providing Rs100 billion to the tribal districts every year for 10 years.

Mahmood said his government was giving special attention to development of tribal districts, and mentioned that record development projects had been accomplished in the tribal districts.

Later, the chief minister inaugurated several development projects in education, roads, health and other sectors.

The chief minister accompanied by senior party leaders addressed a public gathering in Khar Bazaar.

On the occasion, Mahmood Khan said PTI’s long march on Islamabad was vital for bringing ‘true independence’ to Pakistan and its citizens, stating it was responsibility of every citizen to participate in it.

He lauded the people of Bajaur for attending the gathering in large numbers, saying the “the sea of people” showed the brave people of Bajaur were with Imran Khan in his fight for the country’s ‘real independence’.

Former federal minister Murad Saeed, provincial minister Anwarzeb Khan, MNAs Gul Dad Khan, Gul Zafar Khan, MPA Ajmal Khan and others also spook.

The lawmakers assured the chief minister that a large number of people of Bajaur would participate in the long march.

Most parts of Khar Bazaar, the main business centre of the district, and roads remained closed during the public gathering.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2022