KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi voice criticism of central government actions that deny the province its rightful rights.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Governor Faisal Karim Kundi attended a meeting of the KP Assembly in Peshawar on May 18, 2026. Both leaders expressed their dissatisfaction with what they termed as unconstitutional behavior by the central government towards the province's rights. In a joint statement issued after the meeting, CM Afridi emphasized that denying provinces like KP their rightful rights amounts to injustice and undermines the federal structure of the country. He stated, "The Centre is adopting an 'unconstitutional' approach which not only violates the spirit of our constitution but also disregards the legitimate concerns of provinces." Governor Kundi echoed these sentiments, adding, "We stand united with our Chief Minister in this regard. It is imperative that the government respects the rights and autonomy of each province under the framework of federalism." He further pointed out that denying provinces their due share in resources and decision-making processes not only hampers development but also fosters a sense of marginalization among provincial leaders. The officials called for immediate dialogue between the central government and the provinces to address these issues. They stressed that a fair distribution of power and resources is essential for maintaining harmony within the country's diverse landscape. This rare show of unity between KP's top leadership comes at a time when tensions have been rising over federal-provincial relations, with both sides accusing each other of violating constitutional norms. The recent decision by the central government to allocate less than expected funds to provinces has further fueled these disputes. The criticism from KP's leaders is seen as significant because it represents a united front against what many perceive as an increasingly centralized and autocratic approach towards governance in Pakistan.
