PESHAWAR: Sohail Afridi, the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, held a series of meetings with delegations of tribal elders and community leaders from Khyber district, discussing governance challenges, law and order, and long-term development strategies.

According to officials, tribal representatives presented proposals aimed at ensuring sustainable growth and prosperity in the region. Afridi emphasized that the province is owed Rs1.375 trillion under the National Finance Commission (NFC) share for merged districts, adding that only Rs168 billion had been released over seven years, leaving Rs532 billion outstanding.

He criticized the federal government for what he described as “continued injustice,” warning that failure to fulfill commitments could lead to protest, which he termed a constitutional right.

Afridi announced a comprehensive Rs1 trillion development package covering all merged districts, ensuring no region would be left behind. He said work is underway on the Tirah development plan in consultation with elected representatives, while funding for the Bara Dam will be allocated in the next fiscal year. Progress continues on the Khyber Industrial Zone, and the long-standing Jabba Dam issue has been resolved.

The chief minister directed authorities to clear compensation payments for Tirah’s displaced residents within a week, reiterating that the provincial government would show no negligence.