PESHAWAR – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif calls for national unity, and promises relief for terror-hit Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur pledged the federal government’s full commitment to resolve province’s challenges with urgency and seriousness.
Speaking at a tribal jirga in Peshawar, prime minister said committee would work in coordination with the KP chief minister, governor, and tribal elders to tackle core provincial issues. He also indicated that some matters could be brought before parliament based on the committee’s recommendations.
“We will sit together, consult with local leadership, and take serious steps to address the issues of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” the premier said.
The announcement comes amid rising tensions between the PTI-led provincial government and the PML-N-led federal administration, particularly over issues of security, governance, and fiscal distribution.
Since Taliban returned to power in neighboring Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan, especially KP and Balochistan has seen spike in militant activity. Recent security assessments indicate a slight improvement in 2025.
A report by Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) shows first quarter of 2025 witnessed 13pc dip in overall violence. Fatalities among militants and insurgents surpassed those of civilians and security personnel. Despite these gains, KP and Balochistan remain hotspots, accounting for 98pc of all fatalities.
PM Shehbaz acknowledged challenges and praised KP’s resilience. The people of KP have made historic sacrifices and raised the flag of Pakistan with pride, he said.
Sharif stressed need to revisit National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, last updated in 2010. He announced that new meeting on NFC would be held in August, specifically mentioning financial provisions that support counter-terrorism efforts in northwestern Pakistan.
He also also addressed recent cross-border tensions, stating that Pakistan’s military had delivered a strong response to Indian aggression on May 6 and 7, which had resulted in civilian casualties.
As country’s top civil military leaders gathered in Peshawar, KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur called on federal government to fulfill its pledges to the people of the merged tribal districts, demanding KP’s rightful share in the NFC Award and urged an immediate release of funds for the region’s internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Both leaders stressed the need to rise above political divisions in the interest of national unity and Pakistan’s long-term stability.
