KP Budget 2026-27: CM Afridi Links Federal Grants to Imran Khan Meeting

KP – (Web Desk) – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi presented the KP budget 2026-27 on Friday with a total outlay of Rs2.17 trillion. But his speech made one thing very clear — the province will not release any grants to the federal government until meetings with jailed PTI founder Imran Khan are restored.

“Until meetings are resumed, no grant will be filed,” Afridi said firmly during his budget address.

The chief minister also demanded that Imran Khan be given proper medical treatment at a top hospital. He said 92 members of the provincial assembly had jointly worked on this financial plan.

The budget carries a projected deficit of Rs48 billion. A total of Rs524 billion has been set aside for the Annual Development Programme, while Rs1.64 trillion covers current expenditures.

The government has proposed a 7% raise in salaries and pensions for government employees. The minimum monthly wage has also been increased by Rs5,000, now standing at Rs45,000.

On law and order, Rs191 billion has been proposed. The police budget has jumped 185% — from Rs67 billion in 2022-23 to Rs191.39 billion this year. Modern weapons, bulletproof vehicles, anti-drone systems, and thermal cameras are part of the plan.

For education, Rs468 billion has been allocated, while health gets Rs334 billion. The Health Card Programme receives Rs50 billion and the Ehsaas Mustahiq Programme gets Rs15 billion.

The Peshawar Revival Programme has been given Rs36 billion, while Rs7.5 billion goes to the Peshawar BRT project. An amount of Rs2.5 billion has been set aside for electric bikes and rickshaws.

Rs35 billion has been allocated for merged tribal districts, keeping their development on track.

Later, Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said only Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif could decide on the demand to allow a meeting with Imran Khan before grants are released to the Centre.