PESHAWAR
In a significant development, the provincial government and the opposition agreed on adopting and passing a joint resolution in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly regarding non provision of funds by the federal government.
Both the benches have expressed firm conviction to move forward with a joint strategy and expressed their commitment to exercise all political, constitutional and legal options for the rights of the province.
This was decided in a joint meeting of the provincial cabinet members and opposition leaders in the provincial assembly held here on Thursday with the Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair.
Provincial cabinet members Atif Khan, Shahram Tarakai, Taimoor Salim Jhagra, Shaukat Yousafzai, Akbar Ayub while opposition members Khushdil Khan, Mahmood Batani, Aurangzaib Nalotha, Mir Kalam Khan, Mian Nisar Gul, Shafiq Afridi, Neghat Orakzai and Sobia Khan attended the meeting.
Matters of the province related to the federation especially nonpayment of development funds for merged areas and Net Hydel Profit (NHP) arrears were discussed in detail during the meeting.
The forum agreed to the fact that non-compliance of the commitments made by the Federal Government regarding provision of development funds for the current fiscal year is badly affecting the development programs of the province especially in merged areas which is unacceptable.
Talking on the occasion, the Chief Minister regretted that the federal government is reluctant in providing development funds for NMDs as per its commitment which is sheer injustice to the people of merged areas.
He expressed firm resolve to utilize all the available options to get the due rights of the province clarifying that his government believes in the investment on human development adding that despite the difficult financial situation, the provincial government has undertaken various development projects in different sectors to materialize its vision regarding uniform development of the province.
Besides, billions of rupees have also been allocated for giving immediate relief to the people affected by recent flash floods in various districts.
The Chief Minister further stated that the provincial government has gone beyond its capacity to resolve the issues of the people in erstwhile FATA.
He reiterated that the completion of ongoing mega projects across the province is the top most priority of his government for which elected public representatives would have to prioritize the development projects under way in their respective constituencies adding that funds required for the timely completion of these projects would be provided on priority basis.
The Chief Minister made it clear that despite multiple challenges, the provincial government did not compromise on services delivery in the province and reiterated the resolve of his government to ensure equal access of citizens to the basic amenities in all the constituencies.
