Governor Kundi attends Independence Day ceremony at Cadet College Battarasi

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has rejected a proposed deduction of Rs6.4 billion from the province’s federal financial transfers. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said the federal government had sought an additional amount from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa before the provincial budget. The provincial government had linked the release of the additional funds to a meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan and his approval. Afridi said the KP government neither approved nor agreed to the proposed deduction of Rs6.4 billion. He said the additional federal grant had also not been included in the provincial budget for the 2026-27 financial year. The chief minister said the matter was not merely a political dispute but concerned the province’s constitutional and financial rights. He maintained that Article 164 of the Constitution does not give the federal government the authority to unilaterally deduct money payable to a province. According to Afridi, any such deduction requires a clear constitutional or legal basis as well as the consent of the provincial government. He said the Finance Department had clearly conveyed its disagreement with the proposed deduction in a letter issued on August 13. Written instructions were also issued that no deduction should be made without the province’s consent. Afridi said Finance Adviser Muzammil Aslam immediately met the relevant officials of the Accountant General KP. The Accountant General of Pakistan Revenues was also directed not to record or implement any transaction without the clear consent of the provincial government. The chief minister said the provincial government had decided to prepare a summary and ordinance under the 7th National Finance Commission (NFC) after the province did not receive its share for six months. He said the provincial government did not sign the memorandum of understanding concerning the additional amount because a meeting with the PTI founder was not arranged. Afridi said the KP government had already approached the Federal Constitutional Court to seek its constitutional rights under the National Finance Commission. He made it clear that the provincial government would not compromise on its NFC rights. The chief minister further said the federal government had no authority to unilaterally deduct money on the basis of an unapproved memorandum of understanding. He vowed that the provincial government would use every legal and constitutional avenue to protect its rights and defend every rupee of its financial share. Afridi also said that if the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) achieved its Rs15.26 trillion tax collection target, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s share would amount to approximately Rs175 billion. He added that providing the merged districts with their rightful share under the 11th NFC was also one of the provincial government’s conditions.

PESHAWAR: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has issued a weather alert forecasting rain across several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from July 24 to July 27, warning of possible landslides, strong winds and lightning. According to the PDMA, districts including Chitral, Upper and Lower Dir, Swat, Shangla, Battagram, Mansehra and Abbottabad are at risk of landslides due to the expected rainfall. Authorities have advised residents in mountainous areas to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel during the forecast period. The authority also warned that strong winds and lightning could damage standing crops and weak structures. Farmers have been urged to take precautionary measures to protect their crops, while residents have been advised to secure vulnerable buildings and outdoor installations. PDMA said electricity poles, signboards and solar panels may also be damaged by strong winds. Citizens have been urged to stay away from unstable structures and avoid taking shelter under trees or near electricity infrastructure during thunderstorms. The authority has directed all district administrations to implement precautionary measures in vulnerable areas before the expected weather system arrives. Emergency response teams have also been asked to remain on alert to deal with any weather-related incidents. In addition, district authorities have been instructed to maintain continuous monitoring of rivers, streams and seasonal waterways to ensure timely action in case of rising water levels or flash flooding. PDMA has advised the public to follow official weather updates, exercise caution during the rainy spell and immediately report any emergency situation to the relevant authorities.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has forecast widespread monsoon rains, thunderstorms and strong winds across most parts of the country from July 24 to July 28, warning that heavy rainfall could trigger urban flooding and disrupt normal life in several regions. According to the latest weather advisory, a low-pressure system over southwest Rajasthan and adjoining areas is drawing strong monsoon currents into Pakistan. Under its influence, rain of varying intensity is expected across Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir during the next few days. In Sindh, moderate to heavy rain is expected in Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Badin, Sanghar, Hyderabad, Matiari, Jamshoro, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Shaheed Benazirabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Khairpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Shikarpur and Thatta. Karachi is also likely to receive light rain and cloudy weather during the forecast period. In Punjab, rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds is expected in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Sahiwal, Pakpattan, Vehari, Khanewal, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, Rahim Yar Khan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Murree and several nearby districts. Some places may experience heavy downpours. The weather department has also predicted rain in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Swat, Chitral, Dir, Malakand, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat and other districts until July 27. In Balochistan, rainfall is expected in Zhob, Sherani, Loralai, Kohlu, Sibbi, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi, Barkhan, Dera Bugti, Khuzdar and surrounding areas. Isolated heavy rainfall is also possible in some locations. The forecast further includes rain and thunderstorms in Gilgit-Baltistan, particularly in Gilgit, Hunza, Skardu, Diamer, Ghizer, Ghanche and Astore. Similar weather conditions are expected in Azad Kashmir, including Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, Rawalakot, Bagh, Poonch, Mirpur, Kotli and nearby areas. The PMD has warned that heavy rainfall may lead to urban flooding in cities including Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, Thatta, Badin and several other low-lying areas. Strong winds and lightning may also damage weak buildings, electric poles, trees and temporary structures. Tourists travelling to mountainous regions have been advised to remain cautious due to the risk of slippery roads, flash floods and landslides. Farmers have also been urged to plan agricultural activities carefully and take necessary measures to protect standing crops and livestock from adverse weather. Provincial governments and disaster management authorities have been directed to remain on alert throughout the forecast period. Rescue services, emergency response teams and drainage machinery have been placed on standby to respond quickly to any weather-related incidents.