ISLAMABAD (MNN); Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Thursday said during the opening session of the 11th National Finance Commission (NFC) that the federal government was present to listen to the provinces’ viewpoints. The remarks were shared in a handout by the finance ministry after the meeting, held at the Finance Division.
Images released by PTV on X showed Aurangzeb welcoming Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi as formal talks began on the distribution of federal divisible resources between the Centre and the provinces.
Aurangzeb stressed that the NFC meeting offered a chance for cooperation and constitutional responsibility, adding that the previous 10th NFC Award expired in July, which made the current discussions even more crucial. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed that the new meeting be held without delay, though recent floods in Punjab, KP, and Sindh had forced postponements.
The minister emphasised that concerns surrounding the NFC could only be resolved through transparent and sincere dialogue. He stated the federal government had come with an open mind, prioritising mutual listening and cooperation. He expressed confidence that the provinces would continue in the same spirit.
Aurangzeb also highlighted the importance of the National Fiscal Pact signed earlier, calling it evidence of collective commitment to national interest. He praised the provincial governments for their cooperation in achieving fiscal surpluses and implementing IMF programme requirements.
He noted that Pakistan had faced unprecedented challenges this year, including tensions with India in May and widespread flooding, but had remained united as a federation. He called for similar unity during the 11th NFC Award process, stressing its importance for fair resource distribution and fiscal stability.
It was decided during the meeting that five to six working groups would be formed on various subjects. The next NFC meeting is expected to be held between January 7 and 15.
The 11th NFC, constituted on August 22, includes federal and provincial finance ministers along with four non-statutory members: Dr Asad Sayeed (Sindh), Mehfooz Ali Khan (Balochistan), Nasir Mehmood Khosa (Punjab), and Dr Musharraf Rasool Cyan (KP).
Murad Ali Shah and Sohail Afridi brief media
Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah said the meeting was held in a positive atmosphere, with both the Centre and provinces outlining their fiscal situations. He confirmed that subject-wise working groups would be formed soon.
KP CM Sohail Afridi said the KP government raised the issue of merged tribal districts’ (former FATA) share in NFC allocations. He argued that after the 25th Constitutional Amendment, FATA became part of KP and was constitutionally entitled to a complete share under Article 160. Afridi claimed participants agreed in principle with KP’s position.
He added that KP would push the matter further in the next NFC meeting scheduled for mid-January.
KP CM consults party ahead of NFC
A day earlier, CM Afridi held consultations with senior PTI leadership to ensure that KP’s interests, especially the financial merger of FATA, were fully represented. KP officials briefed him that former FATA was entitled to Rs1,375 billion, but the Centre had only released Rs168 billion so far, leaving Rs531.9 billion outstanding.
Afridi termed the delay a violation of Article 160 and vowed to protect KP’s financial and constitutional rights.
