ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif questioned whether public funds in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been spent transparently, criticising Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s governance record and defending the federal government’s decision to impose emergency and governor’s rule.
The prime minister said residents deserved answers about spending on education, healthcare, policing and development.
Shehbaz challenged what he described as PTI’s record over 13 years, asking how many hospitals, universities and schools had been established and whether promises concerning dams and electricity generation had materialised.
He alleged that political slogans, protests and demonstrations had taken priority over public welfare, leaving basic needs unmet across Peshawar, Hazara, Kohistan and southern districts.
The prime minister also questioned transparency in the use of provincial resources. His remarks represented political allegations rather than findings of an independent financial investigation.
Shehbaz questioned how funds provided through a special National Finance Commission arrangement had strengthened KP’s counterterrorism capabilities.
He asked how many Safe City projects had been launched and what investment had been made in the Counter-Terrorism Department.
The premier argued that spending even Rs80 billion on police training, equipment and law enforcement capacity could have improved the province’s ability to confront militant violence.
He acknowledged KP’s sacrifices against terrorism and credited coordinated national efforts under former prime minister Nawaz Sharif with substantially improving security by 2017-18.
The Centre imposed emergency and governor’s rule on October 11, citing alleged provincial disengagement from counterterrorism efforts. Parliament subsequently endorsed the measures amid opposition protests.
Shehbaz maintained that negotiations involving PML-N and PPP representatives had failed to secure final approval from the provincial leadership, leaving the federal government with no alternative.
PTI has disputed the Centre’s position, saying it was excluded from security decisions concerning KP and demanding a review of counterterrorism policy. Opposition figures have also criticised the federal intervention.
The competing positions reflect continuing disagreements over provincial authority, political representation and responsibility for addressing the deteriorating security environment.
Welfare Projects Take Priority
Shehbaz urged PML-N lawmakers to concentrate on immediate public needs and prioritise projects capable of producing results within six months to a year.
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He said longer development schemes should temporarily give way to practical welfare measures, while acknowledging that Pakistan’s economic recovery would require sustained effort and continued cooperation across institutions and communities.
