National ( The cow news digital ) The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has announced a province-wide pen-down strike in protest against what it describes as discriminatory treatment by the federal government in matters related to resource distribution and administrative affairs.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi stated that the federal government is allegedly engaging in deliberate bias against the province in key areas including the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, electricity supply, and natural gas distribution. He said such policies have caused growing resentment within the provincial administration and public sector departments.
According to the announcement, the strike will be observed across the province on May 6, during which government offices are expected to remain closed. However, essential and emergency services will continue to operate to avoid disruption to public welfare and critical healthcare facilities.
Afridi further argued that longstanding financial and administrative grievances have not been addressed despite repeated appeals to federal authorities. He maintained that equitable distribution of resources is essential for maintaining national unity and ensuring balanced regional development.
In addition to financial concerns, the chief minister also raised issues related to the treatment of political leadership and legal rights. He claimed that former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his spouse are not being provided access to personal medical care under the supervision of their chosen physicians. He further criticized restrictions on meetings with family members and legal representatives, describing them as unjust and contrary to legal and humanitarian principles.
The provincial government’s decision is expected to escalate tensions between the KP administration and the federal government, particularly at a time when economic and political challenges are already intensifying across the country.
Political analysts suggest that such developments reflect broader disagreements over fiscal federalism and governance structures in Pakistan. The NFC Award, which determines the distribution of financial resources between the federation and provinces, has historically been a sensitive issue and a source of intergovernmental friction.
While the federal government has not yet issued an official response to the strike announcement, the move is likely to prompt further political debate and negotiations in the coming days.
Observers believe that the outcome of this protest could influence future discussions on resource allocation and provincial autonomy, especially if tensions continue to escalate.
