Federal Govt to Maintain Support for KP Until Terrorism is Eradicated: PM

PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned India’s threats to stop water flow to Pakistan, calling every drop under the Indus Waters Treaty a sacred trust of the Pakistani nation. Speaking at a jirga held in Peshawar, the prime minister warned that India would never forget Pakistan’s resilience and reiterated Pakistan’s right to its water resources.

Addressing attendees including Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, PM Shehbaz emphasized the government’s commitment to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), highlighting that Rs 700 billion have been allocated to the province since 2010 to combat terrorism and support development. He pledged that funding will continue until terrorism is completely eradicated.

The prime minister announced the formation of a committee to address and resolve financial and administrative issues between the federal government and KP. “We will view the province’s affairs with seriousness and move forward with consensus from all stakeholders,” he said.

PM Shehbaz also praised the leadership of Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir, stating that the Pakistan Armed Forces under his command have successfully taught the enemy a lesson. Reflecting on his recent diplomatic visits abroad, the prime minister expressed optimism about Pakistan’s economic future and vowed to achieve economic victory alongside military successes.

Highlighting KP’s patriotism, the prime minister said, “The people of KP are brave and honourable; they have always defended Pakistan with courage, especially during critical times like the APS attack.”

On the financial front, the prime minister referred to the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, saying a committee has been tasked with revisiting it after 15 years, with KP representation being finalized.

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Meanwhile, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur urged the federal government to include KP in the Afghan peace process and called for an immediate halt to drone strikes in the province, which he said cause civilian casualties. He also demanded that tribal areas’ shares in the NFC Award be fully transferred to KP and called for all federal dues to be cleared promptly.

CM Gandapur also stressed the importance of restoring the traditional jirga system to resolve disputes in former FATA and PATA regions and advocated for focused investments to uplift terrorism-affected tribal areas. He praised the nation’s unity in the face of external threats and commended PTI leadership for bringing political groups together for the country’s defence.

The jirga concluded with a strong message of national solidarity and a shared commitment to peace, security, and prosperity in KP and Pakistan as a whole.