Peshawar
Special Assistant to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Communications and Works, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, has termed provincial budget for the fiscal year 2025–26 comprehensive, people-friendly, and development-focused.
He stated that the budget will only be approved after receiving consent from PTI’s Patron-in-Chief, Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi. If a meeting with Khan is not arranged or his approval is not granted, the provincial government will not pass the budget.
Despite current economic challenges, Afridi described the budget as forward-looking and balanced, with a focus on public welfare, essential services, and economic stability.
He termed the proposed increase in the minimum wage from Rs. 36,000 to Rs. 40,000 a genuine relief for workers, and appreciated the 10% salary hike for government employees and 7% pension increase.
Highlighting the importance of the Communications and Works Department, Afridi said it plays a crucial role in the province’s development.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to modernizing roads, bridges, and infrastructure, which will improve transportation and create thousands of jobs.
He added that the development projects in the budget aim to provide equal growth opportunities to both urban and rural areas, setting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on a path toward sustainable and inclusive progress.
Afridi expressed hope that the policy decisions included in the budget will meet public expectations and benefit all segments of society.
