Afridi announces Rs150m grant for PPC, raises journalists’ children scholarships from 100 to 150
JAVED KHAN
PESHAWAR
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Saturday called for allowing jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan access to his personal physicians, terming it a constitutional and legal right.
He was speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of the Peshawar Press Club (PPC) office-bearers at the Chief Minister’s House. Sohail Afridi announced a Rs 150 million grant and enhanced welfare measures for journalists at the ceremony.
Mr Afridi also increased the number of scholarships for journalists from 100 to 150, and enhanced the Journalists Welfare Endowment Fund from Rs200m to Rs500m. He also directed authorities to expedite the PC-1 for a new building or high-rise project for the press club.
The Chief Minister said a recent protest regarding Mr Khan’s health was peaceful and aimed at securing a “fundamental right”, not political mileage. “If we wanted to do politics, our attitude would have been different,” he said, adding that democratic behaviour should not be construed as weakness.
Mr Afridi alleged that despite court orders, the PTI founder was not being provided full medical facilities and demanded that he be allowed to consult his personal physicians, Dr Asim Yousaf and Dr Faisal Sultan.
“Preventing hospital treatment is a violation of the Constitution, law and fundamental human rights,” he said, warning that continued “stubbornness” by the authorities would raise further questions.
Mr Afridi also criticised what he described as extravagant spending amid economic strain, referring to the reported purchase of a 37 million dollars aircraft by the Punjab government. “Pakistan is a debtor country. Lavish spending at such a time is injustice and discrimination,” he said, adding that national resources should not be used for personal luxuries.
He further called for an immediate inquiry into an alleged Rs5,300 billion corruption in the national exchequer and urged the federal government to clear KP’s outstanding dues of Rs4,758 billion, which he termed the province’s constitutional right. “Those who rendered sacrifices against terrorism will not tolerate financial injustice,” he said.
Highlighting provincial initiatives, Mr Afridi said Rs4 billion had been allocated for the victims of Tirah but unnecessary controversy was created over the move.
Congratulating the newly elected cabinet of the press club, the Chief Minister said it had set a high example of democratic values. He emphasised that strengthening journalism and democratic institutions was vital for the country’s stability and claimed that freedom of expression was fully ensured in the province.
He paid tribute to journalists for upholding truth and justice during the difficult years of militancy in the province and acknowledged their sacrifices.
