KP assembly in session. PHOTO: AFP
PESHAWAR:
In a rare show of legislative unity, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly passed a unanimous resolution demanding bifurcation of the province and creation of a new Hazara province, which would comprise the Hazara region.
The opposition provided unconditional support to the provincial government in seeking the province’s “rightful participation” in the next meeting of the National Finance Commission (CNF), scheduled for Thursday in the federal capital.
During the session, chaired by President Babar Saleem Swati, Treasury bench member Nazir Abbasi presented a joint resolution on the creation of Hazara province under Article 239 of the Constitution.
The resolution urged the provincial government to complete all necessary constitutional, legal and administrative processes for the new province and present its recommendations to the federal government immediately.
He emphasized that consultative and administrative measures must be carried out efficiently to ensure that the long-standing aspirations of the Hazara people are met. The resolution also ordered the government to prepare a detailed plan on the administrative structure and boundaries of the new province to avoid delays in the constitutional process.
The assembly also unanimously passed a resolution recognizing former prime minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as a “national martyr”. The resolution praised his political, democratic and national contributions and recommended sending a copy to the federal government to formally recognize his services at the national level.
Another important resolution, moved by Awami National Party (ANP) member Nisar Baz Khan, called for curbing the use of Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) against political workers.
The resolution highlighted that the law has often been misused for political vendettas, particularly against members of the opposition. Spokesperson Swati emphasized that the police should not facilitate administrative actions under the MPO.
Provincial Minister Meena Khan Afridi reiterated the Prime Minister’s stance that no political worker, regardless of party affiliation, should face punitive measures. Afridi added that the government is preparing amendments to ensure that the MPO is not used for political victimization.
The assembly also addressed farmers’ concerns when government member Abdul Kabir moved a resolution requesting the restoration of the tobacco quota. The Pakistan Tobacco Board had reduced the quota from 3 million tonnes last year to 1.5 million tonnes, sparking widespread concern among producers. The resolution called for restoring the previous year’s allocation and the chamber passed it unanimously.
A key topic of the session was KP’s participation in the NFC framework, which determines the provincial allocation of federal resources. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has formed a united front with opposition parties to demand KP’s “rightful share” in the NFC.
The province intends to demand an increase in the KP’s share from 14.6% to 19.4%. Opposition members expressed strong support for the government’s position, stressing that the issue transcends political lines and is fundamental to the development and well-being of the province.
During the debate on the NFC, members of the Treasury, including Abdul Karim Khan, Munir Hussain Laghmani, Dawood Shah and Special Adviser Shafi Jan, highlighted that the issue of NFC is not just a party-specific issue, but an issue of the constitutional and financial rights of the province.
KP is also seeking to secure a higher allocation for counter-terrorism funding, previously set at 1%. The lawmakers claimed that revenue from electricity profits, water usage and other outstanding dues under the NFC have yet to be disbursed to the province.
Opposition legislators including Arbab Usman, Nisar Baz Khan, Sardar Shahjahan, Ahmed Kundi, Ashbar Khan Jadoon and Amna Sardar expressed their willingness to support the provincial government in pursuing these demands at the next NFC meeting on December 4. They highlighted that despite three PTI governments in KP, the province’s case had not been effectively presented to the federal government in previous years.
In response, Minister Afridi explained the government’s position and noted that KP has already contributed Rs 80 billion of the Rs 130 billion needed for the expenses of the merged districts. He said that according to Article 107, KP’s share in NFC is 14.62% and additional allocations must be guaranteed for counter-terrorism efforts.
“Securing the province’s fair share is vital to the development and prosperity of the region,” Afridi said in the chamber. He stressed that these resources belong to the people of KP and are not charity or aid. The assembly agreed to include suggestions from all stakeholders to finalize a strong and unified provincial case for the NFC.
