ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan on Friday questioned the federal government’s announcement of Rs160 billion in development funding for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, asking why the amount had not been released during the PTI government’s tenure.
Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Barrister Gohar questioned whether the allocation signalled plans for a long-term stay in the province, which he described as unconstitutional.
“Why were these funds not released earlier? Why were Rs160 billion allocated for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa within a week, when the province had not received them before?” he asked.
The PTI chairman also said the province had not received the due funds under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.
He stressed that resources should be distributed according to need rather than political affiliation, questioning why the province had to wait for a government acceptable to the federal authorities to receive development funding.
He warned against dividing the public or creating rifts among the people of the province.
The PTI chairman claimed that 14 PTI MNAs, along with several former provincial ministers, were in custody.
He cautioned against attempts to dismantle PTI, saying political polarisation could damage democracy and the federation.
Barrister Gohar said the party had no dispute with the Pak Army and paid tribute to its sacrifices.
He added that the PTI did not want confrontation with the military and alleged that a group within the government was attempting to create divisions between the party and the establishment.
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Referring to the party’s planned political activities in Islamabad, Barrister Gohar said the PTI had intended to reach the capital peacefully and constitutionally to present its position and raise slogans in support of Pakistan and party founder Imran Khan.
A day earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the federal government would provide Rs160 billion for development projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Shehbaz Sharif also vowed to work with the military leadership to resolve the problems faced by the people of KP, saying the province had suffered greatly from years of unrest and neglect.