ISLAMABAD, May 29: NWFP Senior Minister Sirajul Haq has criticised the federal government for failing to fulfil its constitutional obligations towards the National Finance Commission award and payment of provincial dues, because of which the provinces were facing serious financial hardships.

Talking to journalists here, Mr Haq said the federal government owed Rs.595 billion to the NWFP for which the negotiations process was on and there was every hope that the province would succeed to get at least Rs.500 billion.

He demanded setting up a permanent NFC, instead of running it through presidential ordinances, and said a formula of resource distribution acceptable to all the federating units should be given.

He urged the federal government to ensure payment of provincial resources in time to enable them complete development projects.

The senior minister, who is also minister for finance, denied that the change of the NWFP governor was linked to the confrontation between the provincial government and former governor, saying the matter related to the federal government policy.

He claimed that the MMA government would strive to maintain good relations with the new governor.