Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, while addressing the 41st Provincial Cabinet meeting via video link, issued firm policy guidelines aimed at strengthening good governance, transparency, and the use of modern technology in official affairs. He stated that the provincial government has already provided a clear roadmap for good governance and is actively promoting transparency and digitalization across all departments.
Directing officials to prioritize online participation in official meetings, the Chief Minister emphasized that this approach will not only save valuable time but will also result in significant reduction in government expenditures.
Strongly condemning the recent press conference by federal ministers, the Chief Minister termed it inhuman, immoral, and unconstitutional, stating that such behavior is equivalent to deliberately provoking the public and destabilizing the situation. He said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan and his wife are being subjected to solitary confinement, which the provincial government strongly condemns. He reiterated that Imran Khan is a leader of the entire nation, while his wife is a non-political and modest woman, and any mistreatment is unacceptable.
To ensure institutional transparency and merit, the Chief Minister announced that all recruitments in provincial government departments, autonomous, and semi-autonomous bodies will be conducted strictly through Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA), and no recruitment will be carried out through any private testing agency.
Referring to the recent meeting of the National Finance Commission (NFC), the Chief Minister said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s case was presented vehemently and was supported by all participants. He pointed out that the continued denial of the due Rs. 1,375 billion share of the merged districts in the NFC Award over the past years remains a grave injustice.
Expressing deep concern over the 55-day closure of the Torkham border, the Chief Minister said that truck drivers as well as men, women, children, and the elderly are severely affected. He directed the district administration of Khyber to immediately ensure provision of food, shelter, and all essential facilities to the affected people.
The Chief Minister also directed that bulletproof vehicles be provided on a priority basis to civil officers, especially district administration, and instructed that all hurdles in the procurement process be removed without delay.
The 41st Cabinet meeting was held on Friday in Peshawar, with the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the chair via video link. The meeting was attended by cabinet members, the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretaries, concerned administrative secretaries, and the Advocate General.
Briefing on the details of the important decisions taken in the Cabinet meeting, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information and Public Relations, Shafi Jan, said that the Cabinet took key decisions regarding the distribution formula for reserved seats for students of the merged districts in medical and dental colleges, the province’s new posting and transfer policy, the committee report on Action in Aid of Civil Powers law, matters related to wheat stock and procurement, the politically motivated cases of May 9 and 10, the formation of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sugarcane and Sugar Beet Board, additional funding for development schemes, and other public welfare initiatives.
He stated that after the division of South Waziristan into two districts, the matter of redistribution of reserved seats for students of these has been referred to a Cabinet Committee for further consultation. The committee will present its recommendations in the next Cabinet meeting. Similarly, the new Posting and Transfer Policy has also been referred to a Cabinet Committee for further review.
Shafi Jan further informed that the Cabinet approved the nomination of mill representatives for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sugarcane and Sugar Beet Control Board for 2025–26. A detailed briefing was also given on wheat stocks, inter-provincial movement, and future strategy, after which the previously notified committee was authorized to take necessary steps for additional wheat procurement as and when required.
The Cabinet also approved financial assistance for the treatment of two patients undergoing kidney and bone marrow transplants. Additionally, approval was granted for the release of funds under the District Development Plan and District Development Initiatives to ensure timely completion of ongoing projects.
Shafi Jan further stated that a special grant of Rs. 150 million was approved for the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). It also endorsed the implementation of the recommendations of the committee tasked with proposing measures following the repeal of the Action in Aid of Civil Powers law.
Moreover, he said, the Cabinet decided to refer the inquiry into the Radio Pakistan Peshawar incident to a Special Committee of the Provincial Assembly. It was also decided that politically motivated cases registered on May 9 and 10 without credible evidence will be withdrawn. ###
