K-P to curb Ramazan price gouging

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has ordered strict action against profiteers across the province ahead of the holy month of Ramazan.

He was addressing a meeting of the provincial cabinet on Wednesday.

During the meeting it was revealed that the government has cleared Rs78.5 billion inherited liabilities and increased the provincial revenue by over 49 per cent while the surplus budget during the last six months has crossed the Rs169 billion mark.

The 23rd meeting of the provincial cabinet was held at the Civil Secretariat Peshawar. Ministers, advisors, special assistants, chief secretary, additional chief secretaries, senior member Board of Revenue, and administrative secretaries participated in the meeting.

In his opening remarks, the CM stated that the draft Ramazan package of the K-P government was almost ready and will soon be presented to the cabinet for approval.

He said that each parliamentarian would submit a list of 5,000 needy individuals from his constituency, who would receive Rs10,000 each as part of the package.

He emphasized that all parliamentarians must ensure the timely submission of names, photocopies of CNICs, and EasyPaisa account details to the relevant offices.

He also said that local administration should be timely mobilized so that no profiteer exploits the general public during the holy month of Ramazan.

He also stressed ensuring transparency in these processes.

It was also revealed that the 26th meeting of the cabinet will review the one year performance of each and every provincial department.

The cabinet approved the provision of Rs1,212.96 million as a non-ADP scheme for the treatment of hemophilia patients in the province.

The scheme will be funded 50 per cent each by the provincial government and Roche Pakistan.

It was further revealed that currently, there are 850 hemophilia patients registered in K-P, out of whom 65 children are unable to get treatment due to the high cost of medicines.

The cabinet approved Rs19.374 billion for the construction of Buner-Karakar Tunnel in Buner district and a bridge over the Indus River in Torghar district.

The construction of Karakar Tunnel will significantly reduce travel time between Buner and Swat, while the bridge will strengthen ties among the people of Malakand, Hazara and Mardan divisions.

The Cabinet also approved the re-appropriation of Rs781.485 million in unspent funds from the 'Development of Tourists Spots in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa' scheme to the 'Rehabilitation of Flood Damaged Rural Roads under the Counter Value Funds scheme.

These funds will now be utilized for the construction of tourist roads.

It also approved the provision of a grant of Rs100 million to the Sports and Youth Affairs Department for the revival of the Youth Endowment Fund.

This fund will be used for capacity building of youth organizations, financial assistance for participation in national and international conferences, cash prizes for outstanding youth, and other youth related activities.

The cabinet also approved the release of a grant of Rs80 million for Cadet College Mammad Gat (Mohmand) and a grant-in-aid of Rs80 million for Peshawar Model School and College.