The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is facing public backlash over a significant rise in expenditures and discretionary spending by the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

In response to the criticism, the spokesperson for the Chief Minister defended the spending, stating that the events hosted by the CM Secretariat are part of national interest, diplomatic engagement, and the province’s longstanding tradition of hospitality.

According to the spokesperson, official and private events are regularly held at the CM Secretariat. Hosting these within government premises, he argued, is a cost-effective and secure solution given the province’s limited resources. Moving such events to hotels or private venues would significantly inflate costs.

He added that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is currently welcoming delegations from international organizations, diplomats, athletes, and business leaders highlighting the province’s role in promoting its image and cultural heritage. Every event, the spokesperson said, serves as a representation of KP’s identity.

Despite the government’s justification, official documents point to substantial increases in spending. For the next fiscal year, Rs500 million have been allocated under the Chief Minister’s discretionary fund, a tenfold rise from the Rs50 million earmarked for the current fiscal year.

Notably, the CM has already spent Rs500 million from the discretionary fund during the ongoing year.

Furthermore, Rs110 million were spent on gifts and entertainment, far exceeding the allocated Rs35 million. For the upcoming fiscal year, the budget under this category has been slightly increased to Rs38.5 million.

The documents also reveal that Rs150 million were spent on secret fund charges, despite only Rs50 million being allocated for this purpose.

The spokesperson dismissed the criticism as an attack on the province’s cultural values and dignity, stating that hospitality is not just a tradition but an essential part of KP’s identity.

He also took a political swipe, suggesting that elements “imposed through Form 47” have been rejected by the people, and reaffirmed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains on the path to development.