KP to Seek Federation’s Support for Rs 53 Billion Arrears for Development of Newly Merged Districts

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Peshawar, In a significant move towards accelerating development in the newly merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Finance Adviser to the Chief Minister, Muzamil Aslam, announced plans to approach the Federation for the release of arrears amounting to Rs. 53 billion for the past two years. This announcement was made during a meeting focused on the budgetary concerns of these districts, marking a critical step towards fulfilling the financial requirements needed to kickstart development projects.

According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, during the meeting, Aslam underscored the Federation’s commitment at the time of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) merger with KP. It was agreed that the Federation would annually allocate Rs. 66 billion for salaries in the newly merged districts, alongside a separate provision of Rs. 100 billion for development activities. However, the lack of funds has significantly hindered progress, prompting the KP government’s decision to seek the overdue amounts.

The discussions, presided over by Adviser Finance Muzamil Aslam, involved detailed deliberations on the financial strategies for the newly merged districts, the budget for TMEs (Tribal Merged Entities), and the roles of the finance department’s risk management and debt management cells. Key officials, including Special Secretary Khuda Bakhsh and Deputy Secretary Saeed Ahmed, contributed insights on navigating the financial challenges faced by these regions.

Aslam emphasized the previous government’s intentions to develop the newly merged districts by establishing factories, exploring mineral resources, and creating job opportunities. He highlighted the importance of making TMEs financially viable and independent, which is crucial for the long-term sustainability and development of these areas.

The finance adviser’s call to the Federation for the release of the promised funds is a testament to KP’s commitment to the development of the newly merged districts, signifying a hopeful future for the residents and the overall prosperity of the region.