RAWALPINDI: PTI founder Imran Khan has rejected the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) budget, saying it was passed without his consultation and must be reviewed through the Supreme Court. He maintained that the budget is not final and cannot be considered legitimate without input from the party’s leadership.
Khan said he had specifically asked key party leaders — Ali Amin Gandapur, Muzammil Aslam, Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, and Taimur Jhagra — to meet him and brief him on the provincial budget before its passage. “I had clearly instructed that the budget must be discussed with me beforehand, but this was not done,” he said. “The KP government should have gone to the Supreme Court and clarified that I am the elected head of the province’s ruling party, and consultation with me is necessary.”
He further warned that even the IMF would not accept a budget that ignores the input of the actual leadership of the ruling party. “This is not the final budget,” he stressed, adding that any approval must include the amendments he suggests after a proper consultation.
The PTI founder also objected to giving a budget surplus from KP, stating that doing so would only serve the interests of the “illegitimate” federal government. “When other provinces are not offering surpluses, KP’s funds should not be used to benefit Islamabad. I will not allow KP’s people to suffer,” he asserted.
These remarks were shared in a post on X (formerly Twitter), where Khan said he had communicated these instructions during a family meeting at Adiala Jail.
In the same post, he expressed deep concern over reported drone strikes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, calling them tragic due to civilian casualties. He urged the provincial government to register FIRs against those responsible and reiterated his long-standing opposition to American drone attacks. “The killing of innocents only breeds more terrorism,” Khan said.
— ALSO READ —
Imran Khan’s legal troubles grow with fresh bail denial
Commenting on the country’s political situation, Khan claimed Pakistan is no longer under a hybrid system but under “full martial law and dictatorship.” He cited former US President Donald Trump’s reported meeting with Army Chief General Asim Munir — rather than with elected leaders — as proof that real power lies with the military. “That’s why I say, negotiations must be held with those who actually hold authority,” he added.
He also praised the role of social media in keeping the public informed at a time when mainstream media, according to him, has been silenced or bought. “Social media deserves appreciation for upholding the truth,” he said.
