Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. SCREEN CAPTURE
PESHAWAR:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohaib Afridi has said that inter-provincial trade is a fundamental constitutional right of all provinces under Article 151 of the Constitution, and no province has the legal authority to restrict the movement of food products or grains across borders.
He made these remarks during a meeting with a high-level delegation of the Senate Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination, which visited him in Peshawar on Wednesday.
The delegation congratulated Chief Minister Afridi on assuming office and held detailed discussions on governance, economic cooperation and inter-provincial relations.
The issue of restrictions imposed by the Punjab government on the free movement of wheat was especially considered during the meeting. Chief Minister Afridi said that while political differences are part of democracy, basic commodities like food should never become a tool of politics.
“The right to trade freely between provinces is guaranteed by the Constitution. No province can legally block the supply of food or essential goods to another,” he said. He further noted that disruptions in the flow of wheat and flour not only harm inter-provincial harmony but also directly affect the economic well-being of ordinary citizens.
The Chief Minister highlighted the need for a coordinated and sustainable approach to resolve the current wheat supply challenges, emphasizing that effective inter-provincial cooperation is essential to ensure food security and economic stability across Pakistan.
He praised the Senate delegation for playing a constructive role in strengthening relations between the federation and the provinces and described them as “ambassadors of the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa”.
The delegation included Senators Dilawar Khan, Mohsin Aziz, Naseema Ehsan, Nasir Mahmood, Hidayatullah Khan, Niaz Ahmad and Musaddiq Masood, among others. Advisor to Chief Finance Minister Muzzammil Aslam, Food Secretary Shah Mahmood and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.
Chief Minister Afridi reaffirmed his government’s commitment to uphold the constitutional rights of the province while promoting unity, economic growth and mutual respect among all federated units.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Afridi ordered an investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of paramedical staff in Mohmand district.
Following his directives, the Establishment Department has constituted a special inquiry committee to investigate the matter.
According to an official notification issued by the chief secretary’s office, the committee comprises Director General Sports Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Tashfeen Haider and Additional Secretary Finance Irshad Ali. The committee has been tasked with completing the investigation and submitting its report within seven days.
Chief Minister Afridi emphasized that transparency and merit must be strictly adhered to in all government procurements. He reiterated that the provincial government will not tolerate nepotism, corruption or illegal practices in the hiring process. All appointments, he stated, should be made solely on the basis of competence, honesty and fairness.
