KP To Hold Protest Outside National Assembly On Budget Day, Says Shafi Jan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafi Jan announced on Thursday that the provincial government and its allies will stage a protest outside the National Assembly on June 10, the day the federal budget is scheduled to be presented.
Speaking on Geo News programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath,” Jan said the demonstration is being organized to protest what he described as discriminatory treatment of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in the upcoming federal budget.
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According to the minister, the decision was announced by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi while concluding a recent sit-in outside Adiala Jail. He said the provincial leadership had collectively decided to hold the protest in Islamabad to highlight concerns regarding the province’s share and treatment in federal financial matters.
Jan said all party lawmakers would participate in the demonstration, including members of the National Assembly and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. He added that the protest would serve as a united expression of opposition to what the provincial government considers unfair budgetary treatment.
Referring to the National Finance Commission (NFC) issue, the minister said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had already presented its position before the federal government in a logical and constructive manner, but concerns remained unresolved.
Rejecting suggestions that Chief Minister Sohail Afridi was under pressure or frustrated, Jan said the chief minister remained confident and fully comfortable in his role. He added that Afridi continues to maintain regular contact with senior PTI leaders, including Asad Qaiser, Junaid Akbar and Atif Khan.
Commenting on PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram, Jan urged him to exercise caution while making public statements. He said party leaders should avoid remarks that could create internal difficulties and stressed the need for greater responsibility in public communication.
The information minister also called on Sheikh Waqas Akram to play a more active role in leading the party and fulfilling his responsibilities as a member of the National Assembly.
The federal government is scheduled to present the budget for the upcoming fiscal year on June 10, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa set to use the occasion to press its demands regarding provincial rights and financial allocations.
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