KP Government Plans Provincial Power Regulator, Seeks Support for Budget Goals
PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has initiated efforts to lay a new power transmission line within the province and plans to establish a provincial electric power regulatory authority, similar to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), according to Muzammil Aslam, Adviser to the Chief Minister on Finance.
Speaking during the provincial assembly’s budget session, chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, Mr. Aslam said the aim is for KP to set its own electricity tariffs, though the federal government has shown reservations about the move. He urged opposition members to support this initiative, which he described as a step toward greater provincial autonomy in energy policy.
Addressing concerns raised by the opposition about the province’s “surplus” budget for the upcoming fiscal year, Mr. Aslam clarified that the surplus is a result of efficient savings, not funding cuts. He emphasized the importance of having emergency funds available for unforeseen circumstances.
He acknowledged security challenges in the province but noted improvements in recent months. He also called on opposition members to advocate for a larger federal development allocation for KP.
Opposition lawmakers, including Ahmad Karim Kundi of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), expressed concerns over the province’s share in national resources. Mr. Kundi emphasized the importance of transparency and urged the government to provide detailed information on loans and actual expenditures.
He also highlighted the significance of the seventh National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, initiated during the PPP-led government from 2008 to 2013, which guaranteed financial stability for the provinces under Article 163-b of the Constitution.
Mr. Kundi questioned why the NFC meeting was not held during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s tenure from 2018 to 2022, despite its leadership at both the federal and provincial levels.
On energy development, Mr. Kundi noted that electricity generation in the province remained limited, citing the completion of the Daral Khwar project, which added 36.6 megawatts to the grid. He also pointed to untapped potential in water and natural resources and raised concerns about federal payments related to oil production.
Several opposition lawmakers voiced concerns about underfunded public services and development shortfalls. Makhdoomzada Aftab Haider of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) said infrastructure in areas such as Dera Ismail Khan needed urgent attention, while Shahjahan Yousaf of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) argued that a budget surplus should reflect completed projects, not a lack of capacity.
Treasury members defended the budget, saying it prioritized education, infrastructure, and tribal area development. MPA Ajmal Khan called on other provinces and the federal government to honor funding commitments to merged districts. MPA Sher Ali highlighted the closure of over 300 industrial units, urging more federal support for industry and agriculture in the province.
The session concluded with the Speaker adjourning the meeting until 2:00 PM on Thursday.
