CM announces April 9 protest in Rawalpindi over constitutional, financial issues

ISLAMABAD
Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Thursday announced that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will hold a public gathering at Liaquat Bagh on April 9, citing unresolved constitutional, financial and security concerns facing the province.
Addressing a press conference at Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad, he said that after exhausting constitutional and legal avenues, PTI has decided to initiate peaceful protests. He confirmed that a request for a no-objection certificate (NOC) will be submitted for the April 9 gathering in Rawalpindi, adding that the protest will remain peaceful even if permission is denied.
He added that the party was proceeding in line with the vision of Imran Khan and that organizational mobilization was underway across the country in preparation for the upcoming public gathering.
The chief minister said his recent engagements with the federal government were aimed solely at securing the constitutional and financial rights of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He stated that the province continues to face serious fiscal constraints due to the non-payment of its due share under constitutionally mandated mechanisms. Despite the merger of the erstwhile tribal areas into the province, he said, the process of fiscal integration remains incomplete.
He further noted that resource distribution under the National Finance Commission (NFC) since 2018 has not aligned with constitutional provisions, resulting in what he described as an inequitable allocation framework. He added that transfers under the NFC Award as well as Net Hydel Profit remain outstanding, placing additional strain on provincial finances.
On the security situation, the chief minister said the provincial government had proposed a policy framework to address the root causes of terrorism. However, he said that despite being presented at the Apex Committee level, the plan has yet to be implemented.
He criticized the continuation of policies pursued over the past two decades, stating they have failed to deliver results. He added that the provincial government has independently borne financial costs of approximately Rs15 billion to support those affected by terrorism, without corresponding assistance from the federal government.
Referring to recent floods, he said the provincial government utilized its own resources for relief and rehabilitation, claiming that no financial support was provided by the centre.
The chief minister said his government would not support any policy that places additional burden on citizens, noting that nearly 45 percent of the population has fallen below the poverty line. He urged the federal government to provide relief, particularly in the context of ongoing global and regional economic pressures.
The chief minister expressed concern over the performance of state institutions, alleging that certain elements were using them to sustain those in power. He further claimed that PTI members and supporters are being treated unfairly.