PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) Central Spokesman Engr Ehsanullah Khan on Wednesday warned against any attempt to curtail the financial and administrative powers of provinces through constitutional amendments, saying Pakistan could not be governed under a centralised state structure.

Speaking in a statement here on Thursday, Mr Khan said any effort to limit provincial autonomy would be unacceptable. He stressed the need to strengthen local governments and ensure the direct transfer of resources to districts through the provincial finance commission (PFC), arguing that such measures would reduce political interference by lawmakers in development funds and improve governance at the grassroots level.

The ANP leader alleged that record level of corruption had been witnessed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the past 12 years, citing the Peshawar Beautification Scheme and other projects as examples. He criticised accountability institutions for what he described as their silence over alleged irregularities.

Mr Khan claimed that with the close of the fiscal year approaching, development funds were being distributed on an emergency basis and along political lines to avoid lapsing of budgets. He said the provincial government had failed to deliver meaningful results despite receiving more than Rs8.5 trillion in resources during its tenure.

Raises concern over distribution of development funds in KP

Commenting on the broader political situation, he said merely changing governments would not be sufficient to address the country’s challenges. He called for a fresh public mandate, arguing that restoring public confidence in the political system had become essential.

On the economy, Mr Khan questioned the federal government’s claim that inflation had been brought under control, saying the assertion did not reflect ground realities.

He argued that reducing inflation by slowing down business, industrial activity and production could not be considered an economic success and instead amounted to economic self-destruction.

He urged the government to clarify the current status of the country’s trade deficit and balance of payments and explain its long-term strategy for placing the economy on a sustainable footing.

The ANP spokesman also expressed concern over rising electricity and gas tariffs, saying high energy costs had hindered industrial growth. He further criticised what he termed an outdated bureaucratic structure, claiming it was discouraging investment and creating obstacles for businesses.

Mr Khan said Pakistan’s path to economic betterment lay in industrial development and the promotion of a knowledge-based economy.

He called for lower energy prices, a more investment-friendly environment and greater support for young people in the information technology sector.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2026