On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi at the PM House in Islamabad.
During their discussion, CM Afridi raised concerns over the provincial government’s pending funds, along with other pressing issues.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Afridi described the development as a “necessity of his role.”
“Perhaps, as a political worker, I might never have taken this step. But I felt it was my duty for the people of my province, where circumstances are becoming increasingly serious — both financially and due to decisions made behind closed doors,” he stated.
Shortly after noon, PTI’s North Punjab chapter confirmed on X that CM Afridi had arrived at the PM House.
Earlier, during a jirga in Khyber on Sunday, Afridi had announced his plan to meet the premier on Monday in Islamabad to “advocate for KP’s rights and ensure the release of outstanding funds.”
This meeting comes a week after Afridi wrote a letter to PM Shehbaz, criticizing the federal government’s “continuous failure” to disburse constitutionally guaranteed funds for KP, particularly those designated for the merged districts under the NFC.
Afridi argued that the delay in funds has now escalated into a severe fiscal and governance crisis for the province, and he demanded the “full and unconditional” release of all pending federal allocations.
According to the KP CM, the province is entitled to Rs658.4 billion under the NFC, but it has received only Rs604 billion so far, creating a shortfall of Rs54.4 billion.
Since assuming office in October last year, Afridi has repeatedly accused the federal government of delaying the release of funds meant for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.