CM's aide defends K-P budget as 'people-friendly'
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has presented a historic and people-friendly budget with a strong focus on public welfare, health, education, and police reforms, claiming it surpasses allocations made by the federal government and other provinces.
Addressing a post-budget press conference alongside Advisor to the Chief Minister on Finance Muzammil Aslam, Information and Public Relations Minister Shafi Jan said the budget, prepared under the leadership of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, prioritises improved service delivery for citizens.
"Substantial allocations have been made for health, education, police, and other public service sectors," Shafi Jan stated.
Shafi Jan announced that Rs1,000 million, including Rs300 million for the merged districts, has been allocated for journalists' welfare, professional development opportunities, scholarships for their children, and internship programmes.
Additionally, Rs500 million has been set aside for conducting feasibility studies and preparing designs for media colonies for journalists. The government has also allocated Rs150 million for the construction of a new building with modern facilities for the Peshawar Press Club.
Commenting on political matters, Shafi Jan made it clear that the K-P government would not release any grant to the federal government until former Prime Minister Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are shifted to Al-Shifa Hospital and provided access to television, newspapers, and other facilities in accordance with the Constitution and law.
He maintained that a meeting between Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Imran Khan is the Chief Minister's legitimate right. Leaders of other political parties were also consulted during the budget-making process, he noted.
Shafi Jan demanded the restoration of meetings with Imran Khan and urged the authorities to facilitate an early meeting between the PTI founder and the K-P Chief Minister. He further stressed that the merged tribal districts urgently require Rs300 billion in funding.