National ( The cow news digital ) The political divide in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa narrowed on Tuesday as leaders from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) jointly called on the federal government to ensure the province receives its constitutional and economic rights.
Speaking at a rare joint press conference, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Chief Minister Suhail Afridi, and Opposition Leader Ibadullah Khan voiced concern over what they described as unfair treatment toward the province despite its major contribution to the country’s energy and natural resources sector.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi questioned why Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was being denied its due share while supplying affordable gas and electricity to the rest of the country. He emphasized that the province possesses significant mineral resources and contributes heavily to national energy production, yet continues to face shortages and economic pressure.
Kundi said the people of the province have sacrificed greatly in the fight against terrorism, with security forces and police personnel continuing to lay down their lives. He urged the federal government to address public grievances, warning that denying constitutional rights to the province would deepen public frustration.
The governor also criticized the ongoing closure of CNG stations, arguing that such measures were damaging livelihoods and adding to economic hardship for ordinary citizens. He appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to resolve the province’s issues with urgency and fairness.
Chief Minister Suhail Afridi described several federal policies as unconstitutional and discriminatory. He stated that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was not receiving adequate wheat supplies despite being a major contributor to the national economy. Afridi added that shutting down gas supply to the province while it continues producing energy resources was unacceptable.
The chief minister revealed that he had formally written to the prime minister regarding the suspension of CNG operations, warning that thousands of jobs could be affected. He also accused the federal government of withholding Rs12 billion allocated for merged tribal districts.
Afridi stressed that Article 158 of the Constitution clearly grants priority rights over natural gas to the province where it is produced. He maintained that if the federal government worked with the provincial administration instead of interfering in local matters, peace and stability could improve significantly within months.
Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Ibadullah Khan acknowledged that the federal government was working on national issues but said the concerns raised by the province deserved immediate attention. He emphasized the need for collective efforts to resolve challenges facing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
