Addressing PHCBA: ‘Education, health reforms will result in change’

CM announces Rs10 million grant for bar association

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has said measures being taken to reform education, health and revenue sectors will result in positive change. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government will continue its efforts to facilitate the public, said the CM.

Khattak was addressing members of the Peshawar High Court Bar Association (PHCBA) at a reception at the high court on Tuesday.

“If this system is reformed based on merit and justice, the country will progress. Otherwise the existing system will prevail for generations.”

Khattak announced a grant worth Rs10 million for the PHCBA. The chief minister asked legal experts to give their input to chalk out an effective mechanism for the quick disposal of cases in courts in order to help  the public.





The CM claimed the government initiated record legislation in the province to reform the system. He cited the Right to Information, Right to Public Services and Accountability acts as examples of efforts towards reforms. He clarified amendments in the Ehtesab act were not aimed at curtaining power of the commission but rather meant to rectify the act.

He pointed out political interference in government institutions had made matters worse. “After forming the government, I told MPAs our job is to carryout legislation and monitor performance, not transferring officials.”



While lashing out at the poor performance of the education department, the CM further stated the government pays Rs100 billion in salaries to its staff and teachers but the result was “zero”.

“Before we came into power, schools were facing a shortage of teachers and each school consisted of two rooms and only two teachers.” Khattak added, “But now, the PTI government’s new policy dictates every school should have six rooms with a sufficient number of teachers.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2016.