Urges the federal government to implement the constitutional process on the resolution without delay
KP assembly in session. PHOTO: AFP
In a historic unanimous decision, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly passed a resolution calling for the creation of Hazara as a separate province.
The resolution urges the provincial government to complete all constitutional and legal arrangements and forward its recommendations to the federal government so that the long-standing demand of the Hazara people is met.
The resolution, tabled by ruling party member Nazir Abbasi, emphasizes the immediate initiation of the constitutional process under Article 239 of the Constitution for the establishment of Hazara province. It further recommends that the provincial government finalize the necessary administrative structures, boundaries and other arrangements in a timely and efficient manner to avoid delays.
Apart from the resolution to create Hazara province, the assembly unanimously passed a motion to recognize late former prime minister and PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as a national martyr. The resolution praised Bhutto’s political, democratic and national contributions and recommended sending a copy of the resolution to the federal government for official recognition.
On the other hand, a resolution was approved that calls for restricting the use of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance against political workers. ANP member Nisar Baz Khan highlighted that the provisions of the MPO have often been used to retaliate against political activists.
Provincial Minister Meena Khan Afridi reiterated that the prime minister’s position is to prevent punitive measures against political workers, regardless of their party affiliation, and that the government is preparing amendments to the MPO law.
The assembly also addressed agricultural concerns and passed a resolution to maintain last year’s tobacco quota of 30 million tonnes after the Pakistan Tobacco Board reduced it to 15 million tonnes, causing apprehension among local farmers.
Meanwhile, ahead of the next meeting of the National Finance Commission (NFC) on December 4, members of the KP government and opposition parties expressed their unified support for demanding greater provincial participation. The government aims to increase KP’s NFC allocation from 14.6 per cent to 19.4 per cent, including a one per cent allocation for counter-terrorism, reflecting the province’s population growth and the integration of former tribal districts.
Speaking in the assembly, Minister Meena Khan Afridi emphasized that KP is not seeking charity but asserting its constitutional right. He noted that the province has already shouldered significant expenditures, including Rp80 billion for the merged districts, and is entitled to receive its full share of federal resources.
Opposition members also pledged support and called for a collaborative approach to secure KP’s due allocations. The assembly session, chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, concluded with unanimous endorsement of all resolutions, indicating a unified provincial stance on administrative, political and financial issues.
