PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, while addressing the 41st Provincial Cabinet meeting via video link, issued 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 digitalisation across all departments.
Directing officials to prioritize online participation in official meetings, the Chief Minister emphasised that this approach will not only save valuable time but will also result in significant reduction in government expenditures.
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 share of Rs. 1,375 billion 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.
He 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.
However, 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.
Shafi Jan further informed that the Cabinet approved the nomination of millers’ 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.
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.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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