PM Assures Update of NFC Award, Says KP Chief Minister
Islamabad: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Suhail Afridi has said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured the provincial government that the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award will be updated, including a financial share for the merged districts, describing it as positive news for the province.
Speaking to the media after a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), Afridi said the provincial government presented Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s case forcefully and sought protection of the province’s constitutional, financial, and development rights.
He said the prime minister assured participants that formal meetings would be held within 180 days to update the NFC Award. According to Afridi, if consensus is not reached within the stipulated period, a summary would be sent to the president and the award would be updated through a presidential order.
The chief minister said the new NFC Award would include a financial share for the merged districts, calling it a major development for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly residents of the merged areas.
Afridi also said that proposed cuts in the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP) for the merged districts had been substantially improved after negotiations, though the provincial government continued to seek further adjustments.
He expressed hope that both the Annual Development Programme and the AIP for the merged districts would be strengthened further so that development benefits could reach residents more quickly.
Referring to Article 151 of the Constitution, Afridi said ensuring the free movement of essential commodities is a federal responsibility. He added that if the article cannot be effectively implemented, then provinces should be allowed to formulate their own policies.
He said that under an agreement with PASSCO, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would receive 175,000 tons of wheat at the agreed rate, and the federal government had assured the province that wheat prices would not be increased.
On security, Afridi said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was making the largest investment in law and order in the country, adding that more than Rs30 billion had been spent since October 5, 2025 on strengthening the police, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), and Special Branch.
He said additional measures would continue to enhance the capacity of the police, CTD, and Special Branch to protect lives and property.
The chief minister said the province would maintain working relations with the federal government while safeguarding provincial rights and public interests. Participation in NEC and NFC meetings, he added, was essential for protecting the province’s interests.
Afridi said education, health, and law and order remained the provincial government’s top priorities. Welfare initiatives such as Ehsaas, shelter homes, Zamung Kor, and the “No One Sleeps Hungry” program would continue.
He also described the Health Card scheme as a transformative initiative launched under PTI founder Imran Khan, saying it provides free medical treatment to citizens across the province.
On environmental issues, Afridi said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounts for about 45% of Pakistan’s forests, with 26.7% of the province’s total area covered by forests.
He said a special fund would be allocated for further forest development and that the provincial government would purchase trees grown on private land instead of encouraging their cutting, with payments made directly to landowners.
Afridi added that individuals carrying out afforestation on barren land would receive government support and facilities to help expand forest cover across the province.
