DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Tuesday said empowering young people was both a strategic priority and a national imperative, announcing the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Authority to promote innovation, digital skills and employment opportunities.
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Addressing a Digital Media Meetup and Interactive Session with digital media practitioners at the Institute of Management Sciences (IMSciences), held in connection with the Provincial Universities Ranking initiative, the chief minister said the provincial government was making significant investments in technology, quality education and digital skills to prepare the youth for an increasingly knowledge-based global economy.
He appreciated the Higher Education Department for introducing, for the first time in the country, a provincial ranking system for universities and congratulated IMSciences for securing the top position in the rankings.
Responding to questions, Mr Afridi said the Ehsaas Naujawan Programme continued to provide interest-free loans to young entrepreneurs, while dedicated funds had also been allocated for women and members of minority communities to promote financial inclusion.
Expressing optimism about the current fiscal year, he said it would be a period of peace, development and shared prosperity, adding that the government remained committed to ensuring equitable opportunities for all sections of society.
On the merged districts, the chief minister said the region had long suffered from systemic neglect and that prolonged border closures had severely affected communities dependent on cross-border trade.
Referring to the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, he claimed that although KP’s share exceeded 18 per cent, the province was currently receiving only 14.6pc, resulting in an unfair distribution of national resources.
The chief minister also said the province had faced the consequences of successive policy experiments over the past two decades.
Highlighting the government’s education agenda, he said Rs5 billion had been allocated in the current budget to bring out-of-school children into the formal education system.
He added that the KP Open Wi-Fi initiative was being implemented in phases across Peshawar and divisional headquarters and would later be extended to the merged districts to improve digital connectivity and expand online learning and economic opportunities.
Responding to a question on women’s empowerment, Mr Afridi said women in KP were demonstrating resilience and entrepreneurial potential, setting inspiring examples through their achievements.
Provincial Minister for Higher Education Meena Khan Afridi also attended the session and answered questions from representatives of digital media platforms.
