PESHAWAR: The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, has approved the establishment of an endowment fund for working journalists.
The chief minister gave the approval during a meeting with a delegation of the Peshawar Press Club led by its president M. Riaz.
The delegation appreciated the chief minister for his government’s initiatives for the welfare of the journalist community, the inclusion of media sector development projects in the forthcoming Annual Development Programme (ADP), the announcement of the reconstruction of the Peshawar Press Club building, and the provision of grant for the Press Club.
During the meeting, the chief minister agreed in principle to the proposal for establishing a dedicated Endowment Fund for journalists affiliated with the Peshawar Press Club and said that the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a modern, state-of-the-art press club building would be held at the earliest opportunity.
The chief minister said that a free, responsible and an independent press was a cornerstone of a democratic society, reaffirming the provincial government’s commitment to promoting media freedom and a safe environment for journalists.
He said that the Provincial Budget 2026–27 included Rs1 billion for interest-free loans for the professional development of working journalists; Rs500 million for the establishment of media colonies across the province; Rs150 million for the construction of a modern Peshawar Press Club building; Rs300 million for the rehabilitation of district press clubs; and Rs100 million to promote innovation and modernization in the information sector.
He said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Journalists’ Welfare Endowment Fund had been enhanced from 200 million rupees to 500 million rupees, alongside continued provision of grants to registered press clubs across the province.
He further directed that a consultative mechanism be developed in collaboration with the elected leadership of the Peshawar Press Club and media organizations to formulate a practical roadmap for improving journalists’ welfare.
The chief minister also directed the relevant authorities to provide the journalist community with a detailed briefing on the progress of the Media Enclave at the New Peshawar Valley City.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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