PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi on Tuesday claimed that Rs1.375 trillion funds meant for the merged tribal districts had been diverted to other provinces during the last seven years in an act of “clear injustice and violation of the Constitution”.

“The merged tribal districts have historically remained underdeveloped and regrettably, even after their merger with KP, their due financial share under the National Finance Commission (NFC) continued to be diverted to other provinces,” the chief minister told a meeting of the Joint Steering Committee, constituted to oversee the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP) for the merged districts

The meeting, chaired by Mr Afridi in Islamabad, undertook a comprehensive review of progress and priorities relating to fast-track development initiatives in the merged districts, according to an official statement issued here.

The participants included Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Tribal Affairs Mubarak Zeb Khan, KP Minister for Finance Muzammil Aslam, Additional Chief Secretary (Planning and Development), the federal planning and development secretary and other senior officials.

Afridi chairs meeting on Accelerated Implementation Programme for tribal region

The committee was told that the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has already extended bridge financing amounting to Rs30.3 billion to sustain momentum on priority development interventions under AIP.

The chief minister noted with concern that no funds had been released by the Federal government during the current fiscal year under AIP.

He, however, welcomed the federal government’s indication to release Rs20 billion, terming it a positive step forward.

“The proposed funds will be directed towards strengthening police infrastructure in the merged districts and expediting completion of high-priority, near-completion projects,” he said.

Mr Afridi also welcomed the federal assurance regarding the early release of Rs9.3 billion for high-impact projects.

Highlighting the prevailing security dynamics, he minister said that sustained development and targeted investment in the merged districts remain indispensable for long-term stability.

The chief minister said that the provincial government was ready to contribute to the household solarisation initiative to maximise outreach and ensure broader public benefit.

He said that Rs28 billion funds had been provided to enhance the operational capacity of the provincial police, including provision of modern equipment and infrastructure support.

Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that the matter of the merged districts’ share under the NFC Award has already been formally taken up with the Prime Minister.

He said that denial of the rightful share to the merged districts constituted a serious inequity and that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must receive its full financial entitlements in light of the inclusion of the merged districts’ population within the province.

The meeting was informed that the summary for a new ADP scheme on household solarisation in merged districts had been approved, with its PC-I to be presented in the upcoming meeting of the Provincial Development Working Party.

Also, the PC-I for strengthening the Fata University was approved, with Rs2.5 billion already released.

Officials said that Rs7 billion earmarked for police infrastructure in the merged districts had been utilised.

The committee also considered a high-impact development initiative aimed at providing technical skills training and internship opportunities to 10,000 youth from the merged districts.

The meeting concluded with participants reaffirming the commitment to sustained, coordinated efforts for inclusive development, improved security outcomes and enhanced public welfare in the merged districts, according to the statement.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2026