KP approves Rs8.6 billion package for minority welfare

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government says it has approved new funding and policy measures aimed at improving education, employment and religious facilities for minority communities in the province.

Speaking after a meeting with a delegation representing minority groups, the Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information, Shafi Jan, said the initiatives reflected what he described as a commitment to inclusive governance.

The meeting was also attended by the Chief Minister’s Focal Person on Minority Affairs Wazir Zada. The meeting outlined a range of financial allocations and development projects.

According to Special Assistant Jan, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has approved funds totalling Rs8.6 billion for minority welfare initiatives. Of this, Rs800 million has been earmarked for scholarships for minority students, covering education from matriculation through to doctoral level.

An additional Rs2 billion has been allocated for competitive examination preparation and skills training programmes for minority youth, he said.

The government has also set aside Rs3 billion for initiatives promoting interfaith harmony, community exchange programmes and support for religious festivals. Funding has been approved for the renovation and repair of places of worship, including Rs1 billion for sites in the merged districts and Rs700 million for settled districts.

Special Assistant Jan said Rs1 billion had been approved for the rehabilitation of cremation grounds and graveyards, while development projects worth Rs4.1 billion were underway for the construction and restoration of places of worship and minority residential areas.

He added that a 2% quota had been reserved for minority students in educational institutions, while the 5% employment quota for minorities in government departments was being fully implemented.