PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) has expressed concern over prolonged power outages, gas shortages and rising inflation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In a statement issued on Monday, ANP provincial president Mian iftikhar Hussain said it was a bitter reality that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which produced surplus and relatively cheaper electricity, was facing 18 to 20 hours of power loadshedding on daily basis. He termed unannounced power outages a “blatant violation” of constitutional and moral principles, saying such practices were deepening inequalities among federating units.

He said that continued suspension of gas supply paralysed domestic life, with households struggling to cook meals, while industries and businesses were also suffering. He added that persistent increase in petroleum prices made transportation and essential commodities unaffordable for people.

The ANP leader said that inflation and unemployment pushed people to poverty and forced many to struggle for basic sustenance. He added that despite decades of suffering due to terrorism and insecurity, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continued to be neglected in state policies.

He criticised what he called poor governance over the past 14 years, saying it had turned the province into a picture of deprivation. “The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa feel abandoned and helpless,” he said, adding that both federal and provincial governments appeared indifferent to the province’s core issues.

He said that provincial government failed to secure constitutional rights for the province and was unable to provide relief to people. He called for implementation of 18th Amendment in its true spirit to ensure provincial autonomy over resources.

Mr Hussain also demanded of federal government to immediately clear Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s outstanding dues on account of net hydel profit and gas. He urged provincial government to hold talks with federal government to resolve energy crisis.

He said that ANP would raise its voice for the rights of the people of the province at every forum and would continue its democratic struggle against injustice, exploitation and violation of Constitution.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2026