PESHAWAR: The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has approved the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to declare Peshawar and New York City as sister cities to promote cooperation in cultural, trade, economic, educational, and governance sectors between both cities.
The approval was granted in 46th meeting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet held here with Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi in the chair. The provincial government has granted approval to various initiatives including the introduction of artificial intelligence education in schools, promotion of positive youth activities, improvement of judicial infrastructure, prison reforms, legislative initiatives, and approval of funds for development schemes and relief activities.
The cabinet approved Rs 2,684 million for improving facilities in prisons and strengthening security arrangements. The allocated funds will be utilized to address the shortage of basic facilities in various prisons and for the procurement of modern security equipment.
The cabinet has also approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Testing and Evaluation Agency Bill 2025 and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minerals Development and Management Company Bill 2025. According to the Special Assistant, the latter bill will provide a formal legal framework to the Minerals Development and Management Company operating in the province.
The meeting approved a Rs 32 million grant-in-aid for the construction of science and computer laboratories at the Atfal Academy, Wana. In addition, Rs 28 million was approved as cash awards to encourage athletes who secured medals in the 35th National Games.
The cabinet has also approved the transfer of government land to the Sports Department for the establishment of a Jawan Markaz in District Karak. It also approved the provision of land for the establishment of a Shamshan Ghat for the Hindu and Sikh communities in Dera Ismail Khan.
For the rehabilitation of people affected by the August 2025 floods, the provincial cabinet has approved a relief package worth Rs 1,136 million. It has also approved the provision of vehicles for eight mobile service units of the Population Department in the merged districts, along with the purchase of a bus for the Regional Training Institute (South).
Under the FATA University Project, the KP cabinet approved the establishment of a Mines and Minerals Value Addition Hub at a cost of Rs 2,500 million. Furthermore, Rs 300 million was approved under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Foundation Scholarship Endowment Fund for students from the merged districts.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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