Amid centre\u2013province tensions
\nLawmakers from various regions highlighted sectoral challenges and proposed remedial measures
\n PESHAWAR
\nThe pre-budget session of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly commenced with a delay of over three hours, as treasury and opposition members engaged in a detailed debate on fiscal priorities and governance challenges facing the province. The sitting, chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, opened with recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by discussions on budgetary proposals from both sides of the aisle.
\nSpeaking on the floor of the house, Finance Minister Muzammil Aslam underscored the province\u2019s heavy fiscal reliance on the federal government, stating that the budget reflected austerity measures in light of prevailing global economic pressures.
\nHe expressed concern that KP was not being accorded its due share by the federation, adding that the financial sustainability of the merged tribal districts remained a pressing issue, particularly as their merger had been a federal decision.
\nLawmakers from various regions highlighted sectoral challenges and proposed remedial measures.
\nMPA Nazir Ahmad Abbasi drew attention to the slow pace of reconstruction in disaster-hit areas of Hazara Division and raised alarm over the lack of medical staff in rural Basic Health Units (BHUs), claiming that a significant number remained unattended by doctors.
\nHe called for activation of basic healthcare facilities and stressed that revenues generated from tobacco cultivation were not benefiting the province proportionately.
\nMr Abbasi also criticised the province\u2019s dependence on other regions for essential commodities, including wheat, urging the government to adopt policies ensuring self-sufficiency and equitable resource distribution.
\nPPP parliamentary lead MPA Ahmed Karim Kundi criticised the provincial government led by PTI for what he termed its failure to effectively advocate the province\u2019s case at the federal level. He called for greater inclusivity in decision-making and urged the government to consider opposition proposals in shaping fiscal policy.
\nMr Kundi further alleged that parliamentary committees were not being convened regularly and accused the government of neglecting its constitutional responsibilities.
\nHe expressed concern over the lack of development funds for local government representatives over the past four years and questioned the government\u2019s commitment to institutional stability.
\nHighlighting the province\u2019s natural resource potential, the opposition lawmaker maintained that KP continued to receive an inequitable share under the National Finance Commission (NFC) award, despite its evolving identity and needs.
\nThe session concluded with calls from both treasury and opposition members for greater coordination, fiscal discipline, and a more assertive approach in securing the province\u2019s rights within the federal framework.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Amid centre\u2013province tensions Lawmakers from various regions highlighted sectoral challenges and proposed remedial measures PESHAWAR The pre-budget session of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly commenced with a delay of over three hours, as treasury and opposition members engaged in a detailed debate on fiscal priorities and governance challenges facing the province. The sitting, chaired by Speaker […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-538375","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-top-news"],"yoast_head":"\n