CM, Governor accuse Punjab, federal govt of violating Constitution; warn of public unrest
K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Governor Faisal Kundi. Photo: NNI
PESHAWAR:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday set aside political differences to jointly demand the province’s constitutional rights, particularly regarding wheat supply and CNG supply.
Addressing a joint press conference in the National Jirga Hall of the provincial assembly, the two leaders were joined by Speaker Babar Salim Swati and Opposition Leader Dr Ebadullah from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
Afridi strongly criticised the Punjab government, saying it was committing “atrocities” against K-P by restricting wheat supplies. “Article 151 of the Constitution does not allow any ban on the inter-provincial movement of food items,” he said, adding that the people of K-P were forced to buy the most expensive flour in the country.
The chief minister pointed out that K-P produced 508 million cubic feet of gas per day, but its CNG stations were not being supplied despite the province’s total requirement being only 150 MMCFD. He invoked Article 158, which gave priority to the gas-producing province to meet its own needs first.
“Punjab has damaged national unity by stopping flour supplies,” Afridi said, warning that the federal government’s failed policies were being blamed on the K-P government.
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He alleged the province was being pushed into a corner and cautioned that continued pressure on the people could force them to take extreme decisions.
Afridi further accused the federal government of unconstitutional behaviour on multiple development projects and said the province was even providing bridge financing for federal schemes. He revealed that Rs12 billion allocated for the tribal districts had been withheld.
On the law and order situation, the chief minister disclosed that he had presented a comprehensive plan during a meeting at the Corps Commander’s House, but none of his suggestions was implemented. “If interference stops and we formulate a strategy together with the K-P government, peace can be restored within 100 days,” he said.
Governor Kundi described the wheat supply and CNG closure as the most pressing issues currently facing the province, severely affecting the poor. He urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address K-P’s problems with “Shehbaz speed”.
The governor expressed gratitude to Swati for bringing the government and opposition together on a single platform for the province’s rights. He said the federal government had imposed a lockdown on one hand and closed CNG on the other, worsening difficulties for the common man.
“K-P produces 508 MMCFD of gas but consumes only 150 MMCFD. Closing CNG is a clear violation of Articles 151 and 158 of the Constitution,” Kundi said, adding that he was in contact with the federal government on the matter.
He stressed that PM Shehbaz should take immediate notice of the issue. The governor warned that continued denial of legitimate rights, including the province’s due share of water, would worsen economic problems in a region already affected by terrorism.
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“If the poor are denied bread and CNG, they will be forced to come out onto the streets,” he cautioned.
Dr Ebadullah said decisions taken by the federation must reflect provincial representation. He called upon the governor to vigorously pursue the province’s case in his capacity as the federal representative.
All speakers emphasised that K-P belonged to all its people and that collective struggle was needed to secure its rights.
