By Ata Ur Rahmen 
Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (October 3, 2025):
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Finance Advisor Mazmil Aslam has criticized Punjab’s Information Minister, Ajma Bukhari, emphasizing Punjab federal revenue dependence. According to Aslam, the province relies on 85% of federal funds, leaving it unable to operate independently and contributing to fiscal imbalance.
This comes amid political tensions involving PML-N, PPP, and PTI, with repeated exchanges over governance, accountability, and resource management.
Poverty and Social Welfare Challenges
Aslam highlighted Punjab’s high poverty rate, noting that 4.6 million residents benefit from the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), reflecting the province’s heavy reliance on federal resources. He stated, “Punjab must compensate flood-affected families from its own resources to demonstrate true accountability.”
This demonstrates how Punjab federal revenue dependence affects social welfare and the province’s ability to respond to crises.
Development Projects Expose Fiscal Reliance
KP Finance Advisor Mazmil Aslam criticized Punjab for relying on federal funds for infrastructure. Projects like the Murree Expressway were funded through the National Highway Authority (NHA) rather than provincial resources.
Punjab also owes KP approximately PKR 64 billion for Murree’s water supply and contributes to federal arrears of PKR 2,500 billion due to subsidized energy policies. These issues underline the consequences of Punjab federal revenue dependence on national development.
Political Tensions and Accountability
Earlier, Ajma Bukhari criticized KP’s Finance Advisor for blaming Punjab, saying officials overlook their own provinces’ shortcomings. This exchange illustrates growing political tensions between PML-N, PPP, and PTI over governance and provincial accountability.
Aslam’s statements highlight the broader implications of Punjab federal revenue dependence, including fiscal pressure on the federation, social welfare challenges, and limitations on provincial development.
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