PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) provincial chairman Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao on Friday criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI)-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying it had failed to formulate a practical development agenda for the province.

In a statement issued from Watan Kor, Mr Sherpao questioned the rationale behind the provincial government’s projected budget deficit of Rs48 billion.

“The government claims that the deficit will be covered through provincial savings without taking loans, but this is not a practical approach. How will the government bridge this gap if it does not resort to borrowing?” he asked.

He also termed the provincial government’s expectation of receiving Rs116 billion under Net Hydel Profit arrears unrealistic.

Criticising the budget for the fiscal year 2026–27, Mr Sherpao said it offered no meaningful relief to the people. He said the PTI had governed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the last 13 years but had failed to deliver on key sectors.

Calling it a “so-called tax-free budget”, he said the financial plan had been prepared without considering ground realities. He also expressed doubts that the government would achieve its target of Rs182 billion in provincial receipts.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2026