KP Cabinet approved the Life Insurance Scheme for the whole the people of the Province without any discrimination
Chitral Times Report
PESHAWAR: The 32nd meeting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet was held here on Thursday with Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur in the chair. Cabinet members, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretaries, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Administrative Secretaries and Advocate General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa attended the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur lauded the armed forces of Pakistan for giving a befitting response to Indian aggression. He stated that the entire nation is proud of the bravery and sacrifices of its armed forces. He paid rich tributes to martyrs who laid down their lives to defend our nation and homeland in response to the enemy’s aggression and expressed heartfelt condolences to their families. This was stated by Advisor to Chief Minister on Information Barrister Dr. Muhammad Ali Saif.
The Chief Minister announced a special relief package for the martyrs and the injured from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stating that the families of the martyrs would be given Rs. 5 million each, while the injured would be given Rs. 1 million each. He directed the concerned Members of the Provincial Assembly to visit the homes of the martyrs along with district administration officials and ensure immediate disbursement of compensation. He said.
Addressing the issue of alleged financial irregularities in Kohistan, the Chief Minister welcomed the action taken by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and termed it a positive step, noting that some recoveries had already been made in the case. He assured full cooperation from the provincial government and pledged to provide all required documents to NAB on a priority basis.
According to Barrister Dr. Muhammad Ali Saif, the Chief Minister emphasized strict action against all individuals and institutions involved in the case, reaffirming the provincial government’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against corruption well in accordance with the expressed commitment of PTI founder Chairman Imran Khan. He further stated that the government itself would take tougher action than any other institution against the culprits.
To ensure a just and proper scrutiny of the matter, the cabinet decided to form a special committee to investigate the Kohistan corruption case. The committee will be headed by the Chief Minister himself and will include relevant cabinet members and Members of the Provincial Assembly. Said Barrister Dr. Saif.
The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of the law enforcing agencies, civil administration and the members of the jirga(mediators) for restoration of peace in District Kurram. The Cabinet was on this occasion informed that during the crises the helicopter conducted 338 sorties transporting 29140 kg medicines, and 9290 passengers to and from the area. That after signing of the peace agreement, interactions with community elders by the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary, the Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner, the RPO as many as 350x bunkers were initially identified in Kurram; manned by both sects but its numbers increased to 979 after detailed survey. It was informed that all 979 x bunkers (627 in U/Kurram & 352 in L/urram) have been destroyed by use of explosive, mechanical & manual methods. It was also informed that Heavy weapons: 151 (43 x Morters, 38 x Rocket Launcher, 49 x Machine Guns, 7 x Recoil Rifles, 8 x Missile Tubes, 6 x Misc) and Ammo: 18830 Weapons Baggan: 278 were recovered while a total out of the 105 villages de-weaponization has been completed in 86 villages. The Cabinet has already approved Widening & Improvement of 76 km Thall Parachinar Road at a cost of 9.6 billion. As its tendering process by PKHA financial and technical bids in scrutiny phase is time-consuming therefore the cabinet approved minor patchwork on the Thall-Parachinar road. Hence, rehabilitation of the road, amounting to Rs. 100 M, may be approved. It was also informed that beautification & uplift of urban Centers/Bazzars at a cost of Rs.728 was in progress of which over Rs.300 million (41 per cent) has been utilized. Barrister Dr. Saif explained.
The Cabinet approved the Life Insurance Scheme for the whole of the people of the Province without any discrimination at an annual cost of approximately Rs. 4.5 billion. It will be implemented through State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan. The coverage will apply exclusively to death of head of a family occurring during treatment under Sehat Card Program at hospitals listed under the program. At the same time, the Cabinet also approved one year extension in the Sehat Card Program. The Department of Health will share data of registered families with SLIC to facilitate identification of eligible head of families. Around 10.5 million families will be covered under the scheme. He informed.
The Cabinet approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Digital payment and FINTECH Strategy 2030 providing for digitizing all government payments; ensuring universal access to digital payments (Inclusivity); simplifying and speeding up transactions for citizens and government; enabling real-time tracking and an oversight mechanism; promote public-private-FinTech collaboration and drive for financial literacy.
Barrister Dr. Saif also said that the Cabinet approved the implementation of all the announcements made by Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur during the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected cabinet of the Peshawar Press Club on January 29.
These measures include issuance of a one-time special grant of Rs.50 millions for the Peshawar Press Club in the current financial year. It also included increasing the seed money for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Journalists Welfare Endowment Fund from Rs.128 million to Rs.200 million to support the welfare of journalists in the Province; issuance of original allotment letters in place of provisional ones for journalists who have acquired plots in the New Peshawar Valley City. Provision of monthly scholarships of Rs.10,000 for one year to the children of 100 journalists from the Peshawar Press Club; and distribution of free solar systems to deserving families of Peshawar Press Club journalists through draw. He said.
With regard to other decisions of the Cabinet Barrister Dr. Saif informed that the Cabinet approved revision of the exemption slab in the Finance Act, 2019 to align it with the updated minimum wage. Thus the unskilled industrial workers earning up to Rs.36, 000/- will be exempted from Professional Tax from Private Salaried Professionals.
To resolve the lingering on litigations once for all and in view of a number of judgments of the superior courts, the Cabinet confirmed the retirement of all the khasadars/levy personals during and after the interregnum period i.e. from 04.06.2018 to 12.03.2019, as under the rules. The interregnum period referred to the time from the enactment of the 25th Constitutional Amendment and the introduction of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Levies Force Act 2019 and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Khasdar Force Act 2019 and their related rules.
The Cabinet approved establishment of Darsamand Community Game Reserve in District Hangu. The game reserve will be established in an area of over 1000 hectares of land. The key game birds / animals of the area mostly included black partridge, grey-partridge, chukar, hare, porcupine, mongoose, jackals and reptiles.
The Cabinet decided to support Amendment in the Article 27(1) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 in a way to maintain the reservation of quota on Federal Government service for different parts of the country for another ten years. In 2021, Provincial Assembly had passed a joint Resolution No.1088 recommending to Provincial Government to approach Federal Government for taking steps for amendments in Article 27 to extend the period for further twenty years means for ten more years on the expiration of the existing time.
The Cabinet approved policy and working procedure for disposal of Timber Harvested under the Defunct Dry standing and Wind Fallen Trees Policy, 2003 and Silvicultural Operations in Forests of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. As per this decision 0.6615 million CFT timbers laying at the road side and central timber deports in Hazara and Malakand divisions will be allowed for further transporting/marketing as per law. This is expected to generate revenue of approximately of Rs. 1226.94 million and also save the precious timber from decaying. The Cabinet also approved amendments to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Forest Development Fund (Management and Utilization) Rules, 2006 providing for emphases on reforestation.
The Cabinet constituted a committee to finalize recommendation with regard to the policy decision to support or otherwise, the constitution (Amendment) bill 2024 moved by Senator Aon Abbas. This Bill aims at the creation of a new Province in Punjab by the title of “South Punjab Province”. For the said purpose the Bill ibid proposes to amend Article 1, Article 51, Article 59, Article 106, Article 154, Article 175A, Article 198 and Article 218 of the Constitution.
The Cabinet approved one time Grant-in-Aid Rs. 50.91 million for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Foundation. This aid is aimed at re-imbursement of deficit amount of to KPEF under the CPEC/China scholarship. Under this scholarship 460 students were facilitated in pursuing studies at various Chinese Universities.
The Cabinet approved enhancement of seed money for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Higher Education Scholarship Endowment Fund (KPHESEF) with the provision of additional grant of Rs. 1240 million. KPHESEF stands as a flagship program offering meritorious and deserving students the opportunity to peruse higher education at prestigious national and International universities. Till that 526 scholarships have been awarded to students enrolled in various universities whereas 34901 students of BS program in government colleges also benefitted from this.
The Cabinet approved the enhanced cost for establishment of District Head Quarters Hospital at Ghazi Abad, District Kolai Palas with the direction to complete the project on urgent basis as the area lacked such basic amenities of life.
The Cabinet approved Financial Assistance of Rs. 2.00 million for Lever Transplant of the mother-in-law of one Mr. Omar Hayat Khan and a sum of Rs. 2.50 Millions for Bone Marrow Transplant for one Umme Aiman (Patient).The Cabinet approved appointment of non-official members of Search & Nomination Council for the appointment of private members to the Health Care Commission. The three years term of such 03 private members had expired on 20.01.2022.
The Cabinet approved the creation of Positions of Director General along with staff for Land Use and Building Control Authority. It also approved recommendations for Members of the Board of Directors of WSSC Haripur, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Cabinet approved a Grant in Aid to rehabilitated drug addicts @ Rs. 50,000/- per patients as part of the Drugs Free Peshawar Phase-III Campaign. The Social Welfare Department has launched drug rehabilitation program in May 2022. In the first two phases 2400 individuals received treatment the figures included 19 women and 104 children. The third phase was launched in November 2024 in rolling 1239 drug edicts. The initiative includes the rehabilitation and dignified reintegration of the edicts.
The Cabinet approved constitution of Board of Directors (BOD) of Small Industries Development Board (SIDB) and the Board of Directors (Board of Investment & Trade Khyber Pakhtunkhwa).
The Cabinet approved the 3rd revision of PC-I for the establishment of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa University of Technology Nowshera” and stressed its timely commissioning in the larger interest of the youth of the Province.
The Cabinet approved forwarding resolution No. 166 adopted by the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recommending to the Provincial government that it urge the Federal Government to raise its voice in support of the oppressed Muslims of Palestine, because silence in the face of oppression is tantamount to supporting the oppressor.
The Cabinet approved Rs. 5 million as special compensation for each of the nine deceased of the incident to place on 29 March 2025 at Abakhel Hill on the boundary of Matta and Babozai in Tehsil Katlang.
The Cabinet accorded ex-post facto approval of the amount of Rs. 359.317 million as monthly sustenance and food ration allowance to the TDPS Families of North Waziristan.
The Cabinet approved relaxation of ban replacement/purchase of official vehicles Toyota Fortuner for District & Sessions Judges South Waziristan at Tank. An additional grant of Rs. 20.0007 million was approved for this. He concluded.
