Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday made it clear that the people of the erstwhile tribal areas would not pay taxes until they were granted their rightful share under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, asserting that issuing directives from Islamabad was far easier than implementing them on the ground.

Addressing an interactive session organised by the K-P Sports Writers Association at the Governor’s House, the governor criticised the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for its tax collection drive in the merged districts, questioning whether the FBR chairman had ever visited Waziristan, Khyber, Bajaur, Mohmand or Parachinar to understand the plight of the local population.

“The state had promised us that it would spend Rs100 billion annually in FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) and PATA (Provincially Administered Tribal Areas), but the federation failed to fulfil its commitment,” Kundi stated while interacting with media representatives.

“A committee formed regarding the merged tribal districts had recommended that Rs200 billion to Rs250 billion be provided. Even that was ignored. We didn’t even receive the Rs100 billion that was promised.”

Read: K-P received Rs34.88tr in federal funds over past five years

The governor announced that he would appeal to the prime minister to reconsider and withdraw the tax decision, warning that otherwise all political parties in K-P would jointly formulate a strategy. He also called upon the chief minister to convene all political parties and devise a collective action plan.

“If the chief minister faces any issue or compulsion, then he should stand with us. Then we will see who dares to collect taxes from us,” Kundi asserted.

During the ceremony, Governor Kundi distributed awards and certificates among sports journalists who had demonstrated outstanding performance. He expressed concern over the lack of sports infrastructure in the province, noting that there was not a single fully equipped cricket stadium meeting first-class standards in K-P.

“More than half of the national cricket team players belong to K-P, which is clear evidence of the province’s unparalleled talent,” he remarked, while lamenting the scarcity of playing fields and basic facilities for athletes.

Also Read: K-P threatens FCC move over NFC share dispute

Expressing regret over the decline of squash and hockey, the governor pointed out that Pakistan had dominated world squash for 16 consecutive years, but no world-class champion of Jansher Khan’s calibre had emerged since. Similarly, the national sport, hockey, is also in decline, requiring immediate and effective measures for its revival.

Governor Kundi further announced that a special ceremony would soon be held to honour the families of martyred journalists from K-P, paying tribute to their services and sacrifices.

The event was attended by Association President Asim Shiraz, Secretary Shahid Afridi and a large number of sports journalists.