PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan on Thursday said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had achieved a significant success in safeguarding the province’s constitutional and financial rights during a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC).

In a statement, Mr Jan said that the NEC meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by chief ministers of all provinces and senior government officials, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa being represented by CM Sohail Afridi along with adviser (finance) Muzammil Aslam and the chief secretary.

He said that the meeting reviewed the Annual Development Programme and national development initiatives. The minister said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government effectively raised the issue of non-provision of NFC resources for merged tribal districts.

“CM Sohail Afridi maintained that despite the merger of Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the resource distribution formula had not been revised accordingly, placing an additional financial burden on the province. He emphasised that development of merged tribal districts was contingent upon fair allocation of financial resources,” he said.

Minister Jan says PM promised resolution of tribal districts funds issue within six months

Mr Jan said the prime minister acknowledged Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s demand as constitutional and legitimate and said efforts would be made to resolve the issue within six months.

“If a consensus-based solution is not reached within the stipulated period, the prime minister will advise the president to exercise powers under Article 160(6) of Constitution to update the NFC formula through constitutional and legal means. This development is the first formal progress at the federal level regarding the rights of merged districts,” he said.

The minister said that CM Afridi also raised the issue of restrictions on interprovincial movement of wheat and flour. He argued that such restrictions were contrary to constitutional guarantee of free trade.

“Taking notice of the matter, the prime minister ordered the immediate removal of all such restrictions.”

Minister Jan said the meeting also agreed that Passco would provide wheat to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in accordance with existing agreements. He added that consensus was reached on addressing the province’s additional requirements.

Mr Jan said that the chief minister also clarified the province’s position regarding proposals for financial arrangements linked to national strategic requirements.

“CM Afridi categorically stated that any matter carrying significant financial and political implications would require consultation with and approval from the party’s leader Imran Khan, before any final commitment or decision could be made. The KP government can’t make any commitment without such approval,” he said.

Minister Jan said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa delegation effectively defended the province’s constitutional rights during the meeting and strongly advocated for equitable financial resources and constitutional justice for merged districts.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2026