KP assembly opposition demands financial, administrative reforms, rejects provincial budget

PESHAWAR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jun, 2026) Opposition members in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly here Monday while criticizing KP Budget 2026–27 demanded financial and administrative reforms for good governance.

During the general debate on the 2026–27 budget in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, parliamentary leaders of opposition parties strongly criticized the government's economic, administrative, and development policies, raising numerous questions regarding the province’s financial rights, law and order, healthcare, education, and the local government system.

Opening the budget debate, Maulana Lutfur Rehman, the parliamentary leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), said that since the assembly represents all Constituencies of the province, it would have been better if lawmakers’ suggestions had been incorporated during the budget-making process. He argued that the KP government ignores elected representatives in budget preparation and merely seeks to avoid responsibility, while the failure to allocate funds based on actual needs is unjust.

He claimed that the current fiscal year's budget, despite being described by the government as a surplus budget, actually turned out to be a deficit budget, and that the upcoming budget is also based on a deficit.

Maulana Lutfur Rehman stressed that law and order and the economy are closely linked, and that economic stability cannot be achieved without peace and security.

He emphasized the need to move the province toward agricultural self-sufficiency. According to him, despite being rich in water resources, the province has not fully utilized them. Referring to the CRBC project, he said it is currently receiving 3,200 cusecs of water, whereas at least 5,000 cusecs should be flowing, and the province’s rightful share is 10,000 cusecs. Had the First Lift Canal been completed on time, the province would today be self-sufficient in agricultural production.

He said the province remains burdened by debt and is not receiving its full share of profits from electricity, oil, and gas. He assured the government that the opposition would stand with it in securing the province’s constitutional rights.

He also criticized deficiencies in the education system, poor school conditions, the failure of the local government system, and controversies surrounding the Police Act. He demanded the establishment of a Finance Technical Committee to review budget figures and hold accountable those responsible for any inaccuracies.

The parliamentary leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Ahmad Karim Kundi, said that a budget is essentially a document for the distribution of resources. Referring to the Constitution and the Federal system, he stated that while equality, provincial autonomy, and minority rights are often emphasized, in practice resources are distributed based on power rather than fairness.

He claimed that the rights of the merged tribal districts are also being continuously neglected.

He argued that instead of genuine institutional reforms, the province is being governed through personalized rule. According to him, District Development Advisory Committee (DDAC) forums make development decisions behind closed doors, and resources are distributed on political rather than public-interest grounds.

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He also raised issues concerning FATA House, economic rights, NFC and PFC awards, mineral resources, energy projects, and the rights of local communities.

Arbab Waseem of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Parliamentarians said that former Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur himself had admitted that the government failed to effectively present the province’s economic case. While welcoming the allocation of Rs. 100 billion for Peshawar, he argued that the city needs modern hospitals, ICU beds, and improved healthcare facilities more than roads.

He further alleged that the Ramadan package is being distributed among favored individuals and primarily benefits political workers. He said that 92 percent of the province’s resources come from the federal government, and if the treasury lacks funds, announcing new projects serves little purpose. He also described the seven percent salary increase for government employees as insufficient in light of inflation.

The parliamentary leader of the Awami National Party, Arbab Usman, said that “musical chairs” politics is continuing in the province, with leadership changing every few months. He argued that the MTI (Medical Teaching Institutions) system has damaged public hospitals and that delays in Health Card payments are causing difficulties for citizens.

He stated that only 10 percent of patients at Lady Reading Hospital are receiving treatment through the Health Card program, while the remaining patients must pay out of pocket. He also discussed issues related to counterfeit medicines, cardiology services, educational reforms, the examination board system, agricultural policy, the wheat issue, law and order, electricity, and food security.

Arbab Usman said that the government is spending borrowed money on projects such as the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Peshawar instead of public welfare initiatives. He also claimed that the Peshawar Safe City project has failed to deliver the desired results. He urged the government to increase its revenues and prioritize investment in essential sectors.

The parliamentary leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (N), Sardar Shahjehan Yousaf, described the budget as a deficit budget. He noted that funds have been allocated for local governments despite their inactivity, whereas resources were not adequately provided when local governments were functioning.

He further said that the opposition’s share in the Rs. 524 billion development budget has not been clearly specified. Citing an example from his constituency, he said that Rs. 800 million has been allocated for a college project, but the project is so long-term that its completion may be witnessed by future generations. He called for development projects that can be completed within two to three years so that people can benefit from them sooner.

Overall, opposition leaders demanded stronger efforts to secure the province’s financial rights, ensure fair distribution of resources, improve law and order, reform healthcare and education, increase transparency in development projects, and establish an independent mechanism to review budget figures and expenditures.