PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi has announced one-time special grant of Rs.150 million for Peshawar Press Club (PPC).
He made this announcement while responding to the demands presented by the President of Peshawar Press Club, M Riaz during the oath taking ceremony of the newly elected cabinet and members of the governing body of the club here on Saturday
He also increased the number of scholarships for journalists from 100 to 150 and enhanced the Journalists Endowment Fund from Rs 200 million to Rs 500 million.
He further informed that instructions have been issued to relevant authorities regarding the master plan of the journalists’ colony in New Peshawar Valley.
The Chief Minister directed the Information and the Communication and Works Department to expedite preparation of PC 1 for the construction of a multi-storey building for Peshawar Press Club.
The Chief Minister said that those who raised hue and cry over the allocation of Rs 4 billion for the displaced and affected families of Tirah are conspicuously silent today when the Punjab government has purchased an aircraft worth 37 million dollars.
He termed this a glaring double standard and a grave injustice to the people of Pakistan.
The Chief Minister stated that Pakistan is a debt burdened country running its economy through loans from the International Monetary Fund, and under such circumstances the use of national resources for personal luxury is unacceptable.
He further remarked that the reported corruption of Rs 5300 billion, as reflected in IMF reports, is an extremely serious matter. He emphasized that this money does not belong to any individual or political party but to the entire nation, and raising voice against such massive corruption is the responsibility of every conscientious citizen.
Congratulating the newly elected President, General Secretary, cabinet members and the governing body of Peshawar Press Club, the Chief Minister said that the Press Club has set a remarkable example of democratic continuity by holding timely elections under all circumstances. Whether during earthquakes, incidents of terrorism or other crises, the institution never postponed its elections, which reflects the true spirit of democracy.
He added that journalists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa enjoy complete freedom of expression and constructive criticism, and the provincial government welcomes positive criticism in the spirit of reform.
Paying tribute to the journalists of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Chief Minister acknowledged that practicing journalism in the province over the past two decades, amid intense terrorism and security challenges, was never easy. Despite these difficulties, he said, journalists stood by truth and remained the voice of the people.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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