K-P launches teacher hiring drive amid staff crunch

Cabinet sanctions 3,000 lecturer posts, introduces agriculture and pharmacy policies

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, held its 39th meeting on Thursday, approving a series of major policy and administrative measures aimed at improving governance, service delivery, and public welfare across the province.

Briefing reporters, Advisor on Information Barrister Dr Muhammad Ali Saif said the Cabinet sanctioned the recruitment of over 3,000 temporary lecturers to address staff shortages in colleges at an annual cost of Rs3 billion. He added that the government also recognized the job value of the Associate Degree programme, directing strict adherence to merit and transparency in hiring.

To boost enrollment in low-performing institutions, the Cabinet decided to outsource selected schools and colleges on a pilot basis, ensuring teachers' jobs remain secure and education continues to be free.

In landmark moves, K-P became the first province to introduce both a Mountain Agriculture Policy and a Pharmacy Services Policy. The agriculture policy will stabilize markets, expand off-season crop production, and strengthen food security, while the pharmacy policy seeks to reduce treatment costs, combat counterfeit medicines, and ensure quality healthcare.

For urban forestry, Rs100 million was approved for plantation in Peshawar, and Rs50 million for each divisional headquarters. The Cabinet also sanctioned a Non-ADP scheme to upgrade schools to inter-colleges in Peshawar, Bannu, Kohat, and DI Khan.

The Cabinet further approved Women Property Rights Rules 2025, appointment of a new Women Commission, and creation of two new districts, Paharpur and Upper Swat. Deputy Commissioners were authorized to support voluntary repatriation of Afghan families through relief funds.

Among welfare measures, compensation was approved for families of martyrs, along with Rs4.5 million for two critical patients. The Cabinet also decided to challenge federal taxes on property transfers in the Supreme Court, asserting provincial jurisdiction.