Cabinet condemns killing of K-P citizens

Approves establishment of two Takaful companies under Islamic principles

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa cabinet on Monday condemned the extrajudicial killing of two K-P citizens in Punjab and ordered an inquiry into the incident.

The 44th meeting of the Provincial Cabinet was held on Monday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, who addressed the session via video link.

The Chief Minister expressed serious concerns over the conduct of the Punjab government during his recent three-day visit, describing their behavior as "undemocratic, unethical, and condemnable." Afridi alleged that members of the K-P cabinet faced violence and harassment, with provincial routes blocked, markets forcibly shut, motorway rest areas closed, and even lights turned off during a visit to Mazar-e-Iqbal. He said such actions reflected moral and intellectual decline, and in times of political and economic instability, such behavior was "not only alarming but incomprehensible."

Afridi directed provincial officers to provide exemplary hospitality to visiting delegations, emphasizing that no guest should feel unwelcome in K-P. He also criticized the federal government for withholding AIP funds, stating that the province is owed Rs4,758 billion, which has delayed development projects in the merged districts. He demanded transparency regarding fiscal releases to all provinces.

The Chief Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to health and education as top priorities, aligning with former Prime Minister Imran Khan's vision, and called for accelerated work on ongoing development projects.

At a press briefing after the meeting, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information, Shafi Jan, outlined key cabinet decisions. Notably, the cabinet approved the establishment of two Takaful companies under Islamic principles: the K-P General Takaful Company and the K-P Family Takaful Company, with allocations of Rs2 billion and Rs3 billion respectively. These companies will provide health coverage and financial support to families in case of death of a family head.

The cabinet also sanctioned Rs3,825 million for the K-P Safe Cities Project, expanding it beyond Peshawar to DI Khan, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, and Waziristan. Additionally, approvals were granted for educational quotas for students from former FATA, hiring of 1,144 school leaders, financial assistance for flood-affected businesses, and medical aid for nine underprivileged patients.

Other decisions included compensation packages for martyrs and civilians affected by the Pak-India conflict, upgrades to health units, and mechanisms for outsourced hospital contracts. Amendments to the K-P Public Service Commission Rules of Business were also approved.

Shafi Jan condemned the extrajudicial killing of two K-P citizens in Punjab and confirmed that the cabinet had ordered an inquiry into the incident.