PESHAWAR: The Awami National Party (ANP) on Wednesday rejected any move to divide Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the name of creating new provinces and said it would resist any attempt to undermine the province’s “geographical, political, economic and historical identity”.

Addressing a news conference here at the conclusion of three-day meetings of the ANP provincial cabinet, working committee and provincial council, provincial president of the party Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that if new provinces were to be created, that should happen on the basis of nationalities.

“[Khyber] Pakhtunkhwa is our land, identity and historical heritage. We will oppose any attempt to take control of its land, resources and mineral wealth,” he said.

Mr Hussain said terrorism was neither the product of a particular province, nation nor language, but a national and state-level issue.

Seeks new NFC Award, implementation of constitutional rights

He said the people of KP had made enormous sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, adding that more than 1,300 party workers and leaders had fallen victim to terrorism.

He called for an assessment of the causes of terrorism, its facilitators, policies and networks instead of blaming the people of KP. He urged the federal and provincial governments to stop shifting responsibility and take serious measures for restoring peace and protecting citizens.

Mr Hussain said KP could not be viewed solely through the security lens and called for implementation of the National Action Plan alongside measures to address poverty, unemployment, deprivation, injustice and lack of education.

He also opposed the formation of armed groups, private forces or non-state militias in the name of maintaining peace.

He said the country’s problems could be addressed through the rule of law, supremacy of parliament and respect for the constitutional jurisdictions of state institutions.

Mr Hussain said the ANP would not make any compromise on the 18th Constitutional Amendment, provincial autonomy, the National Finance Commission Award and the other constitutional rights of the province.

He urged the Centre to announce a new NFC Award and pay the province’s constitutional financial share in national resources.

Regarding the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas, the ANP leader said the promises made to the people of the merged tribal districts under the 25th Constitutional Amendment must be fulfilled.

“Merger on the map alone is not enough,” he said, demanding financial, administrative and political rights and basic services for the people of tribal districts.

Mr Hussain also called for reconstruction of infrastructure in areas affected by terrorism and military operations, dignified return of displaced families and compensation for losses, damaged houses and businesses.

He expressed concern over a “severe financial and administrative crisis” in the province, saying universities are facing financial difficulties to the extent that they lack resources even to pay salaries to teachers.

Mr Hussain criticised the provincial government over a “renewed wheat and flour crisis”.

He alleged that inadequate government procurement of wheat according to the province’s requirements had contributed to the problem and said restrictions on the movement of wheat and flour from Punjab were pushing up prices in KP.

The ANP leader urged the federal and Punjab governments to resolve the issue, referring to Article 151 of the Constitution concerning inter-provincial trade.

He said tobacco was an important source of livelihood for thousands of families in KP but growers were caught between tobacco companies, prices and government policies.

He also called for diplomatic negotiations to resolve disputes with Afghanistan instead of confrontation and prolonged border closures.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2026