PESHAWAR(The COW News Digial) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has expressed serious concern over the continued increase in petroleum prices, warning that rising fuel costs are placing an increasing burden on poor, middle-class and salaried households.
Addressing a meeting of the provincial cabinet, Afridi said the country’s economic situation was becoming increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens, with many struggling to afford even two meals a day. He also criticized the growing national debt, saying its impact would ultimately be borne by the public.
“Pakistan belongs to everyone,” the chief minister said, stressing that discriminatory attitudes toward smaller provinces could deepen resentment and increase divisions in the country. He warned that such an approach would not be in the interest of Pakistan or its institutions.
Afridi criticized the federal government over repeated increases in petroleum prices, saying the pace of the hikes suggested that there was no clear policy for dealing with the country’s economic challenges. He questioned the policy of simultaneously increasing fuel prices and relying on borrowing to run the country.
The chief minister claimed that Pakistan’s total debt had risen from Rs43 trillion accumulated over 74 years to Rs97 trillion under the current government in five years. He said the resulting financial burden would eventually fall on ordinary citizens.
Afridi also strongly criticized recent remarks by the Punjab chief minister, saying that damaging national interests for political or personal considerations was unacceptable. He argued that statements targeting a particular province could negatively affect the broader national narrative and provide space for anti-Pakistan narratives abroad.
He also condemned statements by federal ministers regarding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying the provincial government and people were increasingly concerned about the treatment being given to the province.
Questioning the situation, Afridi asked whether Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was being regarded as an equal part of Pakistan. He also raised concerns over public statements and media activity involving provincial leadership, saying such developments raised questions about the direction in which the country was heading.
On provincial finances, Afridi said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had collected more than Rs150 billion in revenue during the previous fiscal year against a target of Rs130 billion.
For the current fiscal year, he said a revenue target of Rs180 billion had been set, while the government aimed to collect more than Rs200 billion without imposing new taxes.
Afridi also alleged that certain unrelated individuals were interfering in government and departmental affairs and attempting to intimidate officials. He said provincial officers were working to ensure merit, transparency, good governance and effective service delivery, adding that the government stood firmly behind them.
