Peshawar:
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to set up a special police force to secure the Para Chinnar road in the tribal district of Karam. For this purpose, a total of 399 personnel will be recruited, while initially temporary posts will be set up to secure the road. It has been decided to establish permanent posts in future.
The 19th meeting of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet was held on Monday under the chairmanship of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur in Peshawar, in which besides the provincial cabinet members, chief secretary, additional chief secretaries and related administrative secretaries participated. Briefing the cabinet meeting on the situation in Karam district and the steps taken by the provincial government in this regard, it was told that on the instructions of Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, a helicopter service was started to solve the traffic problems faced by the citizens of Karam district. And during the last two days, 220 people have been provided transport service by helicopter of the provincial government.
To overcome the shortage of medicines in the area, about ten tons of medicines have been delivered by helicopter so far and these medicines have been supplied to all areas of Karam. For the availability of food grains in the area, wheat is being supplied at discounted rates while payments have been made to compensate the loss of life and property in the district.
The cabinet meeting was further informed that a meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee was held on the issue of Karam last day, in which it was decided to establish a special police force to secure the Para Chinar Road in connection with the restoration of land connectivity to Karam district. and for this purpose a total of 399 personnel will be recruited while initially temporary posts to secure the road while it has been decided to set up permanent posts in the future.
It was further informed that the road will be opened after an agreement between the two parties is reached while a full FIA cell will be set up to block social media accounts spreading communal hatred in the area. The participants were informed that several Jirgas have been organized at different levels for a sustainable solution to the Karam problem.
In the Apex Committee meeting held yesterday, it has been decided to surrender all illegal weapons by February 1, while it has been decided to set up a special desk in the Home Department to issue licenses for legal weapons on the basis of need. Similarly, it has been decided to demolish the fronts established in the area till February 1.
Speaking in the Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister said that the problem of Karam is not terrorism but a conflict between two groups, the people of the area want peace but some elements are trying to spoil the situation through communal hatred. Elements are creating a false narrative to give a different color to the issue.
He further said that there is a lot of illegal heavy weapons in the area, there is no justification for keeping such heavy weapons and creating fronts. The Chief Minister clarified that there is no government policy to allow any armed group to possess illegal heavy weapons. The provincial government is making every possible effort to find a peaceful solution to the problem through negotiations and Jirgas. The government will not compromise its commitment to ensure the safety of lives and property of the people of the area.
The Chief Minister said that no decision has been taken on the operation in Tirah and Jani Khel. The Cabinet has approved Rs 4 crore as a Christmas gift to around 80 churches in the province under which each church was given Rs 5 lakh. will go
The meeting was informed that the provincial government has already released the salaries in advance to its Christian employees. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government reiterated its commitment to peace, stability, and equal opportunities for all communities.
The Cabinet approved the construction of 365 km Peshawar-DI Khan Motorway under Public Private Partnership and directed the Finance Department to arrange funds for land acquisition for the project. Cabinet approves funds of Rs 30 crore for Pak-Austria Fakha Shule Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology, Medical and Dental College at Haripur. These funds will be disbursed in two installments for infrastructure development, equipment purchase, and faculty recruitment.
The Cabinet approved grants to public sector universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for payment of pension and pension arrears and salaries. The provincial cabinet has approved one grade upgrade in personal status to the erstwhile FATA Development Corporation employees, who have served for more than 36 years but have not received any promotion.
“Cabinet approved amendments to Rule 12(2) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Civil Servants (Appointment, Promotion and Transfer) Rules, 1989. According to these amendments, the posts of BS-3 to BS-15 in the district cadre will be filled only by domicile holders of the respective district.
Relaxing the ban, the cabinet allowed the creation of 221 posts of various categories in the health department. The Cabinet also approved the appointment of two members of the Academic Search Committee under Section 12(2)(e) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universities Act, 2012. In order to make DI Khan Girls Cadet College operational, the cabinet approved the extension of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government’s Educational and Training Institutions Ordinance 1971 to Cadet College DI Khan and a grant of Rs 30 crore for the same.
In order to bring uniformity in legislation with other provinces and to maintain provincial autonomy, the Cabinet has amended sections 13(2) and (3), section 18 and section 20(2) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Financial Management Act No. XXIX of 2022. Approved. These amendments are to ensure optimal use of the Treasury and Accounts Establishment, an attached body of the Provincial Finance Department.
The Cabinet approved the provision of loans to local people through Bank of Khyber to introduce community-based housing facilities in tourist areas. Under this project, each individual will be given a loan of up to 3 million rupees. In the project, priority will be given to Dir, Chitral, Swat and Mansehra districts where the tourist traffic is high.
The cabinet approved the release of funds for development activities and schemes in various districts of the province. 60% of the released funds will be spent on municipal services including WSS and 40% on social services.
The Cabinet approved the establishment of Water and Sanitation Services Company, Haripur along with provision of funds of Rs.25 crore through supplementary grant. The Cabinet also approved a special grant of Rs 14,338,864 for six contract employees of the Police Public School.
