Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Caretaker Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan has said that the mandate of the caretaker government was clearly defined in the Election Act and his government would remain strictly committed to its constitutional and legal responsibilities.
He said that the peaceful and transparent conduct of the general elections was the first priority and every effort would be made to improve the law and order situation.
He was presiding over the first meeting of the caretaker provincial cabinet on Thursday.
Apart from the caretaker cabinet members, the chief secretary, additional chief secretary and administrative secretaries of the relevant departments participated in the meeting.
In his address the chief minister said that in view of the financial difficulties, the government will strictly follow the policy of austerity and judicious use of available resources will be ensured.
The chief minister directed the concerned authorities to ensure fair distribution of government flour across the province and to take measures to ensure the availability of wheat stocks in the province during Ramazan.
The cabinet decided to deduct one day salary from the employees of grade 17 and above, including the employees of the autonomous institutions and the cabinet members for the relief of the earthquake victims of Syria and Turkiye.
The cabinet also decided to send 20,000 quilts for the earthquake victims. The finance department was directed to release Rs50 million for the purpose. The cabinet further decided that medical and rescue teams will also be sent to Turkiye, if required.
The cabinet also approved the provision of 6 kanals of government land to the Intelligence Bureau at cost for setting up an Intelligence Bureau office in Upper Chitral district.
The cabinet also approved the ex post fecto sanction to the notification of Task Force for Diamer Bhasha Dam Project with special powers to appoint members of various security agencies including Army and other institutions for the protection of Diamer Bhasha Dam Project and the local and foreign workers working in it.
Its purpose is to bring various forces under one command. The caretaker provincial cabinet confirmed the board's decision to hand over the charge of CEO of K-P Board of Investment and Trade to secretary industries.
The cabinet also sanctioned the allotment and transfer of 37 kanals two marlas land for crematoriums of Hindu/Sikh communities in Peshawar and Nowshera districts and 6 kanals and 5 marlas of government land for Christian graveyards in Kohat district to the Auqaf Department.
The cabinet approved the nomination of Secretary Labour /Chairman Workers Welfare Board to represent K-P province in the governing body of the Workers Welfare Fund managed by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development.
Earlier, the chief minister while congratulating the caretaker cabinet members on assuming their responsibilities said that due to some unavoidable reasons the first meeting of the caretaker cabinet was held late, but future cabinet meetings will be held regularly.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 17th, 2023.
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