A key aide to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has stated that the authority to regulate provincial expenditure rests with the National Finance Commission (NFC), not the National Economic Council (NEC). This assertion challenges recent discussions surrounding the NEC’s role in controlling provincial spending. The KP government believes the NFC, a constitutional body representing provincial financial interests, is the correct forum for such decisions. The aide clarified that the NEC’s function is primarily focused on overall economic planning and coordination, not direct control of provincial budgets. This position stems from concerns that the NEC attempting to curtail provincial spending could undermine provincial autonomy and disrupt development projects. The KP government maintains that provinces should have greater control over their allocated resources, as determined through the NFC award. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between the federal government and provinces regarding financial powers and resource distribution.