KP Chief Minister and Governor Unite Over Provincial Rights, Announce Joint Struggle on Wheat and CNG Issues
Peshawar: In a rare show of political unity, the Chief Minister and Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa jointly announced a coordinated effort to defend provincial rights, setting aside political differences over issues including wheat supply restrictions and the suspension of CNG services.
A joint press conference was held at the Qaumi Jirga Hall of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly by Chief Minister Suhail Khan Afridi and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. Speaker of the Assembly Babar Saleem Swati and Opposition Leader Dr. Ibadullah were also present.
Addressing the media, Chief Minister Suhail Khan Afridi accused the Punjab government of treating Khyber Pakhtunkhwa unfairly by restricting wheat transportation. He stated that under Article 151 of the Constitution, restrictions cannot be imposed on the movement of food items between provinces.
He said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were purchasing the most expensive flour in Pakistan despite the province producing 508 MMCFD of gas while requiring only 150 MMCFD for local consumption. He criticized the continued suspension of gas supply to CNG stations despite the province’s gas production capacity.
The chief minister further alleged that the wheat restrictions had harmed national unity and warned that continued pressure on the province could push the public toward difficult decisions. He also claimed that the federal government was adopting unconstitutional behavior in several development matters and had deducted Rs12 billion allocated for tribal districts.
Speaking on law and order, Afridi said he had proposed solutions during a meeting at the Corps Commander House, but none of his recommendations were implemented. He claimed peace could be restored within 100 days if interference stopped and a joint strategy was developed with the provincial government.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also criticized the suspension of wheat supply and CNG services, calling them major issues affecting the province’s poor population. He urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address the matter with “Shehbaz Speed.”
Kundi said he stood with the people of the province on both issues and appreciated efforts to bring government and opposition leaders together on one platform for provincial rights. He argued that the suspension of CNG violated Articles 151 and 158 of the Constitution, under which gas-producing provinces should receive priority in gas allocation.
The governor warned that the closure of CNG stations and wheat supply restrictions were increasing economic hardships in a province already affected by terrorism. He cautioned that if poor citizens were deprived of basic necessities such as flour and affordable fuel, public protests could intensify.
Opposition Leader Dr. Ibadullah also stressed that the province should have proper representation in federal decision-making and called for collective efforts for the welfare and development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
