PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday complained that the provincial government had failed to properly utilise the development funds provided by the federal government after the merger of Fata with KP and under the National Finance Commission Award.

“Mismanagement of these funds and the government’s failure to allocate them for merged tribal districts have caused growing discontent among the tribal communities regarding Fata-KP merger,” the governor told a delegation of the Mohmand Political Alliance at Governor’s House here.

Besides highlighting their issues, the visitors, who were led by Malik Jangriz Khan and included leaders of various political parties, also commended the governor for organising a multi-party conference and forming political and technical committees to highlight the rights of both settled and merged districts. They appreciated the decision to male the Mohmand tribe part of those panels.

The governor assured them that he would take up the issues facing the Mohmand tribe about electricity, water and infrastructure with authorities for resolution.

Meets delegation of Mohmand Political Alliance

Mr Kundi said the Governor’s House would act as a lawyer for all provinces in advocating for their issues with federal authorities.

He said the Mohmand Political Alliance could submit grievances to him for action.

The governor praised the Mohmand Political Alliance’s members for setting their political differences aside for the greater regional interest.

He called for a similar approach across the province to address broader issues related to the rights of all districts.

The governor said he would work to ensure the residents’ access to federal authorities.

Meanwhile, a certificate distribution ceremony was held at the Governor’s House for students of the Enlighten School System and Training Centre.

The governor gave away appreciation certificates to high-achieving students.

Special persons, who completed a skill development training programme, and their teachers also received such certificates.

The event was attended by notable figures, including Vice President of the Women Chamber of Commerce Zobia Amir,, officials of NAVTTC, teachers and students.

The governor emphasized the importance of skill development for youth and said that trained youth had better job prospects within the country and abroad.

He also said that the federal government had allocated a significant budget for skill development programmes in various sectors to equip young people with necessary competencies.

“There is a need for more skill development training programmes to empower youth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to have better employment opportunities,” he said.

Also, Mr Kundi handed over medicines, sent in by the Balochistan government for the people of Kurram tribal district, to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society.

Chairman of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society for merged districts Imran Wazir received medicines at the Governor’s House.

The PRCS will distribute medicines to the trouble-affected people in Kurram district.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2025