PESHAWAR(The COW News Digital) Political tensions within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have reportedly intensified, with development funds for Dera Ismail Khan allegedly being withheld by the provincial government.
The development comes amid reported differences between KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and former chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur, whose political relationship has remained strained in recent weeks.
National Assembly member Faisal Amin Gandapur, brother of Ali Amin Gandapur, confirmed that Dera Ismail Khan received only Rs80 million from the latest provincial government release, which had a total value of Rs43 billion.
According to Faisal Amin, development projects in Dera Ismail Khan have already seen work worth more than Rs500 million to Rs600 million completed. However, payments for the completed work remain outstanding, while the projects have reportedly been allocated zero funding under the provincial budget for the 2026-27 financial year.
He further claimed that no funds have been allocated during the current financial year for the ASDI project in Dera Ismail Khan, with its budget allocation also standing at zero.
The claims come against the backdrop of growing political differences between the current and former provincial leadership. According to the report, relations between Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Ali Amin Gandapur have deteriorated to the extent that the former chief minister has allegedly blocked the incumbent chief minister’s phone number.
The reported reduction in development allocations has raised questions over the future of ongoing projects in Dera Ismail Khan, particularly those where construction work has already been completed but payments remain pending.
Faisal Amin’s allegations suggest that the funding situation could affect contractors and ongoing development activities in the district if outstanding liabilities are not addressed.
The provincial government’s position on the allegations was not included in the information provided. Further clarification from the relevant authorities would be necessary to establish the reasons behind the reported budget allocations and funding decisions.
The dispute comes as political divisions within PTI continue to attract attention in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the allocation of development funds becoming another point of contention between rival political factions.
