PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi stated that the promised funds under the National Finance Commission (NFC), which were to be released on a quarterly basis, have not yet been transferred by the federal government for the financial year 2025–26.
Presiding over a meeting of the provincial cabinet here on Friday, he said that due to the non-release of these funds, development projects in the merged districts are being adversely affected.
Despite these financial constraints, the Chief Minister emphasised that the provincial government is making all possible efforts to ensure that the people of the merged districts do not face hardships.
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Speaking on political situation, Afridi strongly criticised what he alleged as inhumane and undemocratic treatment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and his sisters by the federal and Punjab governments.
He stated that on Tuesday, the use of water cannons containing ‘toxic chemicals’ caused health issues among peaceful political workers, parliamentarians and party leadership.
He condemned such actions as contrary to democratic norms and reiterated that the provincial government strongly denounces these measures. He further urged the federal government to focus on stabilizing the country’s deteriorating economy instead of pursuing political victimization, noting that key economic indicators including GDP growth, agricultural output, and industrial performance are continuously declining.
On governance, the Chief Minister informed the cabinet that he has personally initiated field visits and has directed all provincial ministers and their secretaries to conduct field visits to their respective districts and departments every fifteen days.
He said such visits help restore public trust and ensure effective checks and balances. He also announced that a detailed briefing on the Good Governance Roadmap prepared by the provincial government will be presented by the Chief Secretary in the upcoming cabinet meeting.
Briefing the media on cabinet decisions, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information and Public Relations, Shafi Jan, stated that several important decisions related to socioeconomic development, law and order, and governance were taken during the meeting.
He announced that the cabinet approved the Ehsaas Rehribaan (Street Vendors) Livelihood Protection Act, 2025, which will soon be presented in the Provincial Assembly. He said that more than 140,000 individuals in the province are associated with street vending, and legal protection will help formalize this activity, creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
He said that the cabinet approved the establishment of a new district named “Ber Swat,” with its headquarters at Matta.
He added that a committee has been constituted to address smog in Peshawar, which will review the situation and present recommendations for long-term solutions. Proposed measures include the introduction of electric rickshaws, plantation drives, and other administrative interventions.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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