Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said on Tuesday that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa does not seek wheat from the federation but instead demands its due share of water, stressing that constitutional rights must be upheld. He added that if the province is contributing electricity, gas, and minerals to the country, it must also receive its fair share under the Constitution.
Speaking at the convocation of Abaseen University in Peshawar, the governor said efforts had been made to ensure that the federal government listens to provincial concerns and said the federal government has formed a three-member committee on the issue of CNG station closures in the province.
Kundi, welcoming the move, thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and said a meeting would be held with it, including representatives of the provincial government. The governor stated that Ali Pervez, Rana Sanaullah, and Rana Tanveer had been included in the committee.
KP has been grappling with a CNG shortage since April, as several filling stations remain closed, forcing millions of residents to struggle with access to affordable fuel. The situation has also disrupted economic activity across the province.
Governor Kundi added that a meeting with the committee will be held soon, where representatives of the provincial government and opposition will also participate. He said wheat transportation is being restricted, while smuggling has forced people to purchase expensive wheat in the market. “We don’t want wheat from the federation; we want our share of water,” he asserted, adding that if the province got its share of water, “then we will supply wheat to Punjab.”
Separately, in a post on X, the governor extended his gratitude to PM Shehbaz for constituting a committee on the “critical issue of CNG closure in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.” He added that KP produces “nearly 508 MMCFD of natural gas against a requirement of around 130 MMCFD,” yet people continue to face difficulties.
Referring to constitutional provisions, he said that “Under Article 158 of the Constitution of Pakistan, the province producing natural gas has the first right and precedence over its usage.”
Kundi stressed that “the constitutional rights of the people of KP must be upheld.” He also thanked the KP government and all political parties for supporting the issue. “On matters concerning the rights of KP and the welfare of our people, we must rise above political differences and speak with one voice,” he said.