K-P govt says evidence being gathered against Sohail Afridi over alleged corruption

Samar Bilour briefs media on corruption probe, school repairs, and law and order

Adviser to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government on Information and Public Relations, Samar Haroon Bilour, has said that the dysfunctional Chief Minister Sohail Afridi remains in protective custody, while evidence is being collected in connection with allegations of corruption involving billions of rupees.

Speaking at a press conference at the Information Cell in the Civil Secretariat on Friday, she said the government was pursuing institutional reforms, transparency and improved public service delivery.

Responding to questions about Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, she described him as a senior and respected politician but said his recent statements appeared to reflect political frustration and resentment over being excluded from decision-making.

Read: PTI throws weight behind suspended K-P chief minister, says Afridi has Imran’s backing

She suggested that the absence of the political role he expected in the current technocratic setup might also be contributing to his dissatisfaction. However, she said the government would welcome his constructive suggestions and guidance.

Regarding the Dir Colony tragedy in Peshawar, Bilour said investigations into the incident had been completed and a detailed report would soon be shared with the media. Inspections of government and private schools and seminaries across the province had identified 4,049 educational institutions requiring repairs and rehabilitation.

A comprehensive plan was being prepared to improve these institutions. Students from affected schools would be shifted to nearby government schools, with arrangements for class-wise adjustments and second shifts wherever necessary to ensure continuity of education.

She said a subcommittee was also examining the responsibilities of relevant departments and tehsil municipal administrations to determine whether negligence had occurred in building approvals, inspections and supervision.

On law and order, she said eight modern armoured vehicles had been handed over to the provincial police. A comprehensive plan to improve police infrastructure and operational capacity would be prepared within the next five to six weeks. Paying tribute to police personnel who had sacrificed their lives in the war against terrorism, she said providing modern equipment and resources to the force was the government's responsibility.

The adviser said internal irregularities in the Sehat Card programme were being examined, but there was no intention to discontinue or abolish it. The performance and administrative affairs of Medical Teaching Institutions (MTIs), along with the professional competence of their governing boards, would also be reviewed.

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On the anti-encroachment campaign, she said illegal occupation of government land, green belts and drainage channels had to be eliminated to address Peshawar’s traffic and sewage problems. The operation was continuing without discrimination, and no one was being granted concessions on political or personal recommendations. Cleared areas would subsequently be rehabilitated and beautified for public use.

The advisor further added that sanitation services in Peshawar were improving, with cleaning staff working late into the night to remove accumulated waste. A comprehensive waste collection plan was also being developed, alongside measures to address shortages of manhole covers and dustbins.

Concluding, Bilour said the government’s vision was not merely a slogan but a commitment to good governance, institutional reforms, accountability, transparency and public service. She said the government would continue pursuing these priorities while protecting the province’s interests through responsible conduct and institutional procedures.