Cabinet clears major health recruitment drive

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi via video link from Islamabad, approved a series of far-reaching decisions in its 48th meeting, with a strong emphasis on strengthening healthcare, reforming wheat procurement, advancing women's welfare and promoting inclusive development across the province.

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan briefed the media on the key outcomes. The Cabinet sanctioned Rs4,065.12 million to address acute human resource shortages in the health sector, approving the creation of 2,439 fixed-pay positions for medical officers, dental surgeons and nurses. These posts will reinforce service delivery in public health facilities throughout the province, including the Merged Districts.

To expedite filling the vacancies, the Health Department has been authorised to conduct walk-in interviews through Divisional Level Departmental Selection Committees in line with the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Department Contract Appointment of Doctors Fixed Pay Rules 2022, as amended in 2025. Officials said the measure will help ensure uninterrupted and high-quality healthcare provision.

In a landmark decision on food security and fiscal sustainability, the Cabinet endorsed the Hybrid Wheat Procurement and Strategic Reserves Policy 2026. The policy marks a gradual transition from a predominantly state-controlled procurement system to a more market-oriented wheat economy. It introduces indicative pricing to promote stability, mandates maintenance of strategic reserves to safeguard food security, and actively encourages private-sector participation in procurement, storage and trading.

The shift is expected to substantially reduce the long-term financial burden on the provincial exchequer.