K-P cabinet boosts youth funding to Rs5b

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet has approved a wide-ranging package of measures covering youth entrepreneurship, education, healthcare, energy infrastructure, compensation for victims of militancy and institutional reforms, Minister for Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan said while briefing the media on decisions taken at the cabinet's 56th meeting.

The cabinet increased the cost of the Ehsaas Naujawan Programme from Rs3 billion to Rs5 billion in response to sustained public demand and a growing number of applications. The flagship initiative is aimed at promoting youth entrepreneurship, self-employment, financial inclusion and sustainable livelihood opportunities across the province.

A major education reform approved by the cabinet involves the introduction of a semester-wise, jacketed textbook system for students from kindergarten to Grade V from the academic year 2027-28. Grades VI to VIII will be brought under the system subsequently. The cabinet also approved the provision of 100 per cent free textbooks to students of Grades IX to XII.

Under the jacketed textbook model, two or more core-subject textbooks will be bound under a single cover to reduce schoolbag weight and the curricular burden on students without changing the approved content. The pilot will cover public schools in both summer and winter zones.

The cabinet also approved Rs188.756 million as a one-time grant for model schools in the merged districts, including institutions in Mohmand, South Waziristan, Kurram and North Waziristan. An additional Rs60 million grant was approved for Langland School and College, Chitral.

For healthcare, financial assistance amounting to Rs66.56 million was approved for the treatment of 21 deserving patients. Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi directed the Health Department to ensure that the funds were released to the affected families without delay.

The cabinet also approved 114 new house job slots and a 15 per cent increase in stipends for House Officers and Trainee Medical Officers, followed by a five per cent annual increment. The Chief Minister directed the Health Department to examine proposals for further increasing the number of slots.

In another decision, enhanced compensation was approved for civilian victims of targeted terrorists attacks in Bajaur. Legal heirs of those killed will receive Rs10 million, while victims suffering major or minor injuries will receive Rs2.5 million. The standard compensation package was also increased, with compensation for the legal heirs of deceased victims raised from Rs1 million to Rs5 million and for those suffering major injuries to Rs1.5 million.

The cabinet approved the K-P Public Private Partnership Authority Bill, 2026, for onward legislative processing. The proposed authority will have an independent structure, professional leadership, dedicated project appraisal mechanisms and a two-tier approval system.

It also approved the K-P Teachers (Appointment and Regularization of Services) Bill, 2026, providing for regularization of remaining ad-hoc teachers in the Elementary and Secondary Education Department.

Separately, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi directed cabinet members to maintain regular field visits and ensure that public complaints identified during such visits are followed through to resolution.