PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) leader and former provincial minister Sardar Hussain Babak has strongly opposed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) budget for 2025-26, calling it financially unsustainable.
He revealed that the province’s throw-forward—funds needed to complete ongoing and new projects—has surged to Rs 1,400 billion. Out of the Rs 500 billion development budget, Rs 165 billion relies on additional debt, which he said exposes flawed planning.
Babak warned that at the current pace, each project would take 14 years to complete. He also highlighted critical gaps in education and policing, stating, no primary schools have been built in the last 1.5 years, with previous school funds now unallocated. No new police stations constructed in 12 years, undermining claims of improved law and order.
He dismissed the 10% salary hike for government employees as “nominal,” arguing it fails to match inflation. Urging a budget overhaul, he demanded immediate focus on education, health, and policing to address public needs.
