ISLAMABAD: Faisal Karim Kundi on Sunday met senior leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf at Governor House in Peshawar to discuss the province’s constitutional and economic rights, emphasizing the need to present Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s case “firmly and collectively” before the federal government.
According to Governor Kundi, the meeting focused on major challenges currently facing the province, including the ongoing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) crisis, wheat shortages, National Finance Commission (NFC) Award disputes, and issues affecting merged districts and the business community. PTI leaders attending the meeting included Asad Qaiser, MNA Junaid Akber, and other parliamentarians.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, Governor Kundi described the meeting as a “constructive exchange” on pressing provincial matters. He stressed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa deserved justice and fair treatment regarding federal resource allocation and economic support.
The meeting comes amid growing tensions between the KP government and the Centre over financial and administrative issues. Earlier this week, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced a province-wide pen-down strike against what he called discrimination by the federal government in matters related to the NFC Award, gas supply, and electricity distribution.
Since taking office in October 2025, Afridi has repeatedly accused the federal government of delaying the release of funds promised to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly for the merged tribal districts. The provincial administration has also criticized restrictions imposed on wheat and flour transportation from Punjab, claiming the policies have increased economic pressure on KP residents.
The province has also been hit by a worsening CNG shortage since April, with hundreds of fuel stations shutting down and transportation and business activities severely affected. Millions of residents have struggled to access affordable fuel during the crisis.
Earlier this year, the KP government formally requested a revision of the NFC Award formula based on population changes, seeking an increase in the province’s share from 14.62 percent to 18.96 percent. Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb had assured support for resolving KP’s legitimate concerns during recent discussions in Islamabad.
