DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has allocated Rs1 billion for journalists’ professional development and welfare, including scholarships and internships for their children, while Rs150 million has been set aside for construction of a new multi-storey Peshawar Press Club building, Adviser to the Chief Minister on Finance Muzzammil Aslam said on Thursday.
Speaking at a ceremony organised by the Peshawar Press Club at Nishtar Hall to honour position-holding children of journalists and mark Independence Day, Mr Aslam said the provincial government was taking steps for the development and welfare of the press club and the journalist community.
He said of the Rs1 billion allocation, Rs700 million had been earmarked for journalists in settled districts and Rs300 million for those in merged districts.
Another Rs500 million had been allocated for feasibility studies and design work for media colonies.
Director General Culture and Tourism Authority Shahid Khan, President Peshawar Press Club M. Riaz, former president and senior journalist Shamim Shahid, Khyber Union of Journalists President Kashifuddin Syed and Education Committee Chairman Zia-ul-Haq, among others, attended the ceremony along with journalists and their families.
Mr Aslam said the government had also increased the Journalists Endowment Fund from Rs200 million to Rs500 million, while the Bank of Khyber had reduced the markup on endowment funds to 10.5 per cent.
He said journalists were facing financial difficulties due to low salaries amid rising inflation, describing the situation as a matter of concern. He congratulated the position-holding children and their parents and said their achievements were a source of pride for the journalist community.
The finance adviser said the provincial government was spending 22 per cent of its budget on education, which he claimed was higher than the allocation by other provinces.
Managing Director Bank of Khyber Hassan Raza said the provincial bank was working not only in banking but also in the education, health and culture sectors.
