PESHAWAR: As debates on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 continues in the provincial assembly, disgruntled lawmakers of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf have criticised their own government for deleting developmental projects and allocating meagre funds for uplift schemes in their constituencies.
During a sitting, held here with Speaker KP Assembly Babar Saleem Swati in the chair, they warned of protest demonstration against their own government if the developmental projects, they had proposed for their constituencies, were not included in the Annual Development Programme.
Former cabinet member and disgruntled PTI lawmaker Sajjad Barakwal said that several schemes proposed by him were deleted from the budget. He said that meagre allocations for his schemes clearly meant that some of the projects would take at least 70 years to complete.
He said that his constituency was rich in oil and gas and generated billions of rupees in revenue. He protested non-provision of royalty in terms of oil and gas production to his district, Karak.
The lawmaker warned of protesting along with his voters. “My constituency generates revenue of Rs50 billion annually. I demand arrears. If schemes in ADP are not approved, I will protest,” he said.
Another disgruntled MPA Mushtaq Ghani suggested that the allocation of Rs200 billion for Khushal Hazara programme should be revised. Some of the schemes, despite several efforts, could not be reflected in the budget in 13 years, during three consecutive PTI governments in KP, he added.
He said that members of his group, about 30 lawmakers, were criticised as if they belonged to another party. He said that they stood by the government and would always support it. He added that all the treasury lawmakers got votes just because of the incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan and no one could even think about going against him.
He said that they did not violate party discipline and held talks with leadership. “We want an announcement for a movement for releasing PTI founder Imran Khan,” he said.
Idrees Khattak, another disgruntled MPA, said that although provincial government reflected several projects in health and education sectors, yet patients were referred to provincial capital for treatment.
Earlier, the adviser to chief minister on finance, Muzammil Aslam, said that the entire house had to fight for rights of the province. He also rejected opposition’s claim that the province’s throw forward was 47 years. According to statistics, it was seven years, he said and added that provincial government spent over Rs160 billion on current side in merged districts while federal government released only Rs80 billion.
He said that federal government had allocated Rs66 billion for development that too was brought down to Rs55 billion. He said that provincial government planned to move constitutional court over the issue of NFC.
He stated that according to opposition, KP received 93 per cent resources from federal government but it never talked about Punjab, which got 85 per cent from Centre while Sindh received 78 per cent from it. He added that around 58 per cent of KP budget was spent on health, education and police.
Minister for Information Shafi Jan said that it was the first composed budget in history of the province and that it was the only province where people were not protesting after a budget was presented.
He said that federal government would only be given grant once the chief minister met Imran Khan and the PTI founder was shifted to hospital and provided with all facilities.
JUI-F’s Maulana Lutfur Rehman said that presenting a budget for a constitutional obligation and lawmakers only read the budget documents and move forward.
He stated that suggestions of public representatives should have been included in the budget. He said that funds were not distributed according to needs of constituencies.
PPP’s Ahmad Karim Kundi said that budget was distribution of resources presented by both, federal and provincial governments. He added that federal budget should also be discussed.
He stated that federation was based on equality and distribution of resources was its main character while at the same time he questioned if resources were being distribution among provinces justly.
He questioned as to why Fata House in Islamabad could not be taken over by the KP government besides Mohammad Khel Copper Mine in North Waziristan, the largest mine after Reko Diq, was also not under the control of provincial government.
ANP’s Arbab Mohammad Usman said that medical teaching institutions were in loss and unable to share credible data with lawmakers. He said that rural health centres, basic health units and hospitals should be rehabilitated to lessen burden on tertiary care hospitals.
He stated that more than five million children were out of school but government announced chief minister model schools.
PML-N’s Sardar Shahjahan Yousaf said that the provinces fought for National Finance Commission (NFC) but Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) was not being discussed. He stated that need-based-projects should be launched. He asked government to initiate projects, which could be completed at least within a couple of years.
He also stated that the pay raise must be at least 10 per cent keeping in view the price hike. He said that provincial government fixed minimum wage at Rs45,000. He questioned if private employees including contract employees, drivers and teachers in private educational institutions received minimum wages. “This is the government’s responsibility to implement minimum wage,” he said.
Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2026