Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s provincial government has accumulated loans exceeding Rs 809 billion during the first half of the current fiscal year, according to official figures from the Finance Department.
The data shows that borrowing was undertaken to finance 102 development projects across the province. Major international lenders contributed significantly, with the World Bank providing Rs 352.5 billion for 46 projects, while the Asian Development Bank extended Rs 351.8 billion for 44 projects.
Despite the large-scale borrowing, the province also made repayments totaling Rs 25.56 billion between July and December. Of this amount, Rs 15.81 billion was used to repay the principal, while Rs 9.75 billion went toward interest payments.
KP Finance Advisor Mazammil Aslam noted that the initial budget had projected borrowing at around Rs 180 billion. He clarified that the current loans are linked to previously signed agreements and are being utilized for ongoing development initiatives rather than new borrowing commitments.
Earlier, The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has asked Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to submit a reply within 10 days regarding the reported formation of a group called the “Imran Khan Release Force.”
A three-member bench led by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan heard a petition challenging the legality of the force. The court issued notices and directed the government to clearly explain its position on the matter.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer argued that creating such a force could go beyond constitutional and legal limits. He presented documents and referred to media reports, saying the move could raise security and legal concerns.
