Urges the Federal Government to implement the constitutional process on the resolution without delay
KP assembly in session. PHOTO: AFP
In a historic unanimous decision, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has passed a resolution calling for the creation of Hazara as a separate province.
The resolution urges the provincial government to complete all constitutional and legal arrangements and forward its recommendations to the federal government so that the long-standing demand of the Hazara people is met.
The resolution, tabled by ruling party member Nazir Abbasi, emphasizes immediate initiation of the constitutional process under Article 239 of the constitution for the establishment of Hazara province. It further recommends that the provincial government finalize administrative structures, boundaries and other necessary arrangements in a timely and efficient manner to avoid delays.
Besides the decision to create Hazara province, the assembly unanimously approved a motion to recognize the late former prime minister and PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as a national martyr. The resolution praised Bhutto’s political, democratic and national contributions and recommended sending a copy of the resolution to the federal government for official recognition.
Separately, a resolution was approved calling for the restriction of the use of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO) against political workers. ANP member Nisar Baz Khan highlighted that MPO provisions have often been used for retaliatory actions against political activists.
Provincial Minister Meena Khan Afridi reiterated that the Chief Minister’s position is to prevent punitive action against political workers, regardless of party affiliation, and that the government is preparing amendments to the MPO Act.
The assembly also addressed agricultural concerns, passing a resolution to maintain last year’s tobacco quota of 30 million tonnes after the Pakistan Tobacco Board reduced it to 15 million tonnes, causing concern among local farmers.
Meanwhile, ahead of the upcoming National Finance Commission (NFC) meeting on December 4, KP government members and opposition parties collectively expressed support for demanding a bigger provincial share. The government aims to increase KP’s NFC allocation from 14.6 percent to 19.4 percent, including a 1 percent counter-terrorism allocation, reflecting the province’s increased population and the integration of former tribal districts.
Minister Meena Khan Afridi addressed the assembly and emphasized that KP is not seeking charity but asserting its constitutional right. He noted that the province has already incurred significant expenditure, including Rs80 billion for merged districts, and is entitled to its full share of federal resources.
Opposition members also pledged support and called for a cooperative approach to ensure KP’s rightful allocations. The Assembly session, chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, ended with unanimous approval of all resolutions, signaling a united provincial stance on administrative, political and economic issues.
