KP Government Seeks Rs64.62 Billion in Dues from Punjab

Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has formally demanded payment of outstanding dues amounting to Rs64.62 billion from the Punjab government, according to media reports.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led KP administration has sent letters to both the federal and Punjab governments in this regard. In the correspondence, KP authorities alleged that the Murree Water Board has been extracting water from the Galiyat region without any formal agreement or compensation.
The letter stated that approximately 5 million gallons of water are being used daily for Murree from KP’s Galiyat area, despite a growing water shortage in the region. The KP government has called for payment of dues and urged the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination to play a role in resolving the issue between the two provinces.
Meanwhile, KP Adviser on Information Shafi Jan criticized the federal government for what he termed an unfair distribution of resources. He claimed that while billions of rupees were allocated for Punjab-based projects, only Rs550 million were set aside for KP under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).
He further alleged that funds for the merged tribal districts have been withheld, stating that although the federal government had committed to providing Rs100 billion annually, only Rs168 billion have been released over the past seven years, leaving Rs532 billion outstanding.
Shafi Jan also highlighted ongoing issues of prolonged and unannounced power outages in KP, particularly in rural areas where electricity load-shedding reportedly lasts up to 20–22 hours daily. He added that gas supply to CNG stations has been suspended, severely affecting low-income groups and transport workers.
He said Chief Minister Suhail Afridi has taken notice of the gas supply suspension and warned that the closure of CNG stations is impacting livelihoods. The adviser also criticized federal policies, claiming they have led to industrial decline, factory closures, reduced foreign investment, and rising national debt.
The KP government has called for immediate redress of its financial concerns and a more equitable distribution of national resources.