Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and the speaker and leader of the opposition in the provincial assembly on Monday lashed out at the federal government for suspending gas supply to the province, calling for the due rights of KP.
Addressing a joint press conference, Afridi claimed the suspension of gas had resulted in the shutdown of CNG stations across the province. “Article 158 of the Constitution clearly states that a gas-producing province has the first right over its resources,” he said, dubbing the suspension an “illegal act.”
The chief minister further accused the Punjab government of restricting wheat supplies to the province, maintaining Article 151 of the Constitution does not allow any ban on the inter-provincial movement of food items. He claimed the situation had resulted in the people of the province buying the most expensive flour in the country.
“Punjab has damaged national unity by stopping flour supplies,” he alleged, claiming the federal government’s failed policies were being blamed on the KP government. He alleged the province was being pushed into a corner, warning continued pressure on the people could force them to take extreme decisions.
Maintaining that the people of KP should not be forced into further difficulties, he alleged the federal government was adopting “unlawful and unconstitutional” behavior in several development projects. He further claimed Rs. 12 billion allocated for the merged tribal districts had been deducted unfairly.
During the press conference, the chief minister also claimed that if “interference” ended and a joint strategy was formulated with the provincial government, peace could be restored in the province within 100 days.
Kundi, meanwhile, questioned whether KP’s “fault” was producing gas and electricity for the country. “If we receive our water share, we will not have to purchase wheat,” he claimed, adding denying provincial rights while the province was also fighting terrorism amounted to injustice. “First, sacrifices were sought from the public on petrol and electricity, and they are now being tested through CNG,” he said, adding contacts were underway with the center to urge it to stop such “discriminatory” behavior.
The governor appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging him to resolve the province’s issues with the same speed shown in other matters. “Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa produces 508mmcfd of gas but consumes only 150mmcfd. Closing CNG is a clear violation of Articles 151 and 158 of the Constitution,” he said, stressing the prime minister should take immediate notice of the matter.
Kundi warned that continued denial of legitimate rights, including the province’s due share of water, would worsen economic problems in a region already affected by terrorism. “If the poor are denied bread and CNG, they will be forced to come out onto the streets,” he said.
Opposition Leader Ebadullah said decisions taken by the federation must reflect provincial representation. He called upon the governor to vigorously pursue the province’s case in his capacity as the federal representative.
Separately, the KP chief minister also wrote a letter to the prime minister, demanding prompt resolution of the suspended gas supply to the province.
Minister responds
Responding to the chief minister’s remarks, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that there was “no such thing as governance in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.” Alleging massive corruption and misconduct in the province, he claimed public money was being spent on politics in a post on X.
Noting the recent expansion of the provincial cabinet, Tarar said that there were no criteria for selecting new ministers and advisers “other than incompetence.”