As a Christmas gift, the KP cabinet approves Rs40m for around 80 Churches of KP
DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The 19th meeting of the provincial cabinet held here on Monday with Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur in chair, said an official handout.
Provincial ministers, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretaries, and administrative secretaries attended the meeting.
At the outset of the meeting the Cabinet was briefed about the situation in Kurram District and the steps the government has been taking for restoration of durable peace and provision of essential commodities, treatment and transportation of patients, elderly and/or students.
The Cabinet was informed that several Jirgas have been organized to find a sustainable resolution to the conflict there. Humanitarian measures include the delivery of 10 tons of medicines via helicopter, subsidized wheat supplies, and compensation for affected families.
Helicopter services have been initiated to address transportation challenges, transporting 220 people in the last two days. With regard to security and stability measures, a special police force of 399 personnel will be deployed to secure the Parachinar Road.
Temporary posts will be established initially, with plans for permanent ones in the future. A new FIA cell will monitor and block social media accounts spreading communal hatred. Illegal weapons must be surrendered by February 1, 2025, and all unauthorized tranches will be demolished. It was informed.
The Chief Minister on this occasion remarked that the conflict in Kurram is a local dispute, not terrorism. Certain elements are fueling unrest through false narratives and communal hatred. He said the government remains committed to resolving the issue peacefully through dialogue and Jirgas while ensuring the safety of residents.
To address the immediate food requirements of the people there ( Kurram district) the Cabinet approved release of wheat at subsidized rate. As per this approval the Finance Department allocated the subsidy of Rs. 47.110 million against the wheat release of 1,119 MT. The Cabinet also granted ex-post facto approval to the declaration of Emergency in district Kurram under National Disaster Management (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) Act, 2019. This is already in place aimed at enabling the District Administration to effectively address the challenges and undertake necessary relief and rehabilitation measures for the affected population.
As a Christmas gift, the Cabinet approved Rs40 million for around 80 Churches of the Province thus Rs.500,000/- for each with the direction to the Finance Department to release it immediately by today positively. The Provincial Government had already released salaries to its Christian employees in advance it was informed. The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains dedicated to ensuring peace, stability, and equal opportunities for all communities. It was reiterated.
The cabinet approved the construction of 365 Kilometers Peshawar-D.I. Khan motorways on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis directing the Finance Department to arrange funds for the land acquisition of the project.
The Cabinet approved Rs300 million funds for Medical and Dental College at Pak-Austria Fachhochschule Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology Haripur in two tranches with Rs.150 million this financial year and Rs.150 million next financial year. The fund is aimed at infrastructure development, procurement and faculty recruitment.
The Cabinet approved allocation and release of recurring grant for disbursement amongst the Public Sector Universities of KP for payment of regular pension and its liability and salaries.
“Keeping in view their long and useful services” and having no prospects of further promotion, the Provincial Cabinet granted one step up-gradation as personal to all the employees of defunct FATA Development Corporation as per the recommendations of the Committee constituted for looking into their grievances and the decision of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. They had put up over 36 years of service without any promotions.
Cabinet approved forwarding of resolution No 118 adopted by the Provincial Assembly of KP to the Federal Government.
“Although Article 33 states that the state shall discourage partisan, racial, tribal, sectarian and provincial prejudices among its citizens, yet the Islamabad police are committing atrocities against the people of KP, especially the Pashtuns, and are harassing the Pashtuns who do business there. Because they are residents of KP, they are treated as if they are not residents of this country.
The atrocities being perpetrated by the Federal Government against the Pashtun community are illegal and unconstitutional. Therefore, this assembly recommends to the provincial government to strongly recommend to the federal government that the Islamabad police end the atrocities and barbarity against the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially the Pashtuns, and not harass them unnecessarily while doing business in Islamabad.”
The Cabinet approved amendments in rule 12 (2) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Civil Servants (Appointments, Promotion & Transfer) Rules 1989. As per the amendments posts in BS-3-15 of district cadre should be filled only from domicile holders of the district concerned.
Relaxing the ban, the Cabinet allowed creation of 221 posts of various categories in the Health Department. The Cabinet approved the appointment of two members of the Academic Search Committee under Section 12(2)(e) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universities Act, 2012.
To make the establishment of Girls’ Cadet College D.I.Khan as functional, the Cabinet approved extension of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Education & Training Institutions Ordinance 1971 to the Girls’ Cadet College D.I.Khan and also approved a grant of Rs. 300 million for it.
To bring uniformity in legislation with other provinces and maintain provincial autonomy the Cabinet approved amendments in Sections 13 (2) & (3), section 18 and section 20 (2) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Financial Management Act No. XXIX of 2022. This is aimed at best utilization of the Treasury & Accounts Establishment which is the attached formation of the provincial Finance Department.
The Cabinet approved allocation and release of Rs. 3.5 million Grant-in-Aid for Financial Year 2024-25 for China Window at Peshawar. The China Window was established as a result of Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China Islamabad which is playing a role to bring people of both countries together.
The Cabinet approved for partnering with Bank of Khyber, Peshawar in respect of ADP 2024-25 Project 1646-240152 “Development of Community Based Accommodation for Facilitating Tourists”, wherein modalities with Bank of Khyber were cleared as services charges of Bank of Khyber were agreed @ 10%. Called ‘Mezban’ this project is aimed at boosting tourism through improving community based accommodation facilities for tourists. Maximum ceiling of loan to each individual will be Rs. 3.00 million under this project. The target districts included Dir, Chitral, Swat, and Mansehra, however, priority will be given to valleys with more influx to tourists.
The Cabinet approved release of funds for district development activities/schemes in different districts of the province. Released funds will be utilized with 60% in Municipal Services including WSS and 40% social services.
The Cabinet approved establishment of Water & Sanitation Services Company, Haripur along with provision of funds to the tune of Rs. 250.00 million in the upcoming budget through supplementary grant for it.
The Cabinet also approved the transfer of an amount of Rs30 billion from government Treasury to the Debt Management Fund through supplementary grant during the current Financial Year 2024 – 25.
The Cabinet also sanctioned special lump sum grant of Rs14,338,864/- in respect of six contractual employees of Police Public School.
