The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has made significant decisions in its latest cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. On Tuesday, the KP Cabinet approved a monthly house allowance of Rs200,000 for provincial ministers, advisors, and special assistants who have not been allotted government residences. This decision is part of the 11th cabinet meeting, which included key legislative amendments and financial grants aimed at improving various sectors within the province.
During the meeting, the cabinet approved amendments to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ministers (Salaries, Allowances, and Privileges) Act of 1975. These amendments include revisions to the terms and conditions for advisors and special assistants, ensuring that those without government residences receive the newly approved house allowance.
The provincial cabinet has also sanctioned a grant-in-aid of Rs326.40 million for the Drug-Free Peshawar Programme Phase-III and Rs23.10 million for the Beggars-Free Peshawar Programme. The objective is to eradicate drug addiction and beggary from the streets of Peshawar. Phase-III of the Drug-Free Peshawar Programme aims to rehabilitate approximately 2,000 drug addicts. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has directed the social welfare department to offer free services to families across the province who wish to rehabilitate a drug-addicted family member but cannot afford the treatment.
Emphasizing the need for effective public service delivery, the Chief Minister has instructed cabinet members to devise plans for weekly visits to districts. These visits aim to inspect public service delivery and monitor the progress of developmental projects. Special attention is to be given to activities in the Merged Districts, with a particular focus on strengthening human resource deployment in these areas. The Chief Minister stressed the importance of adhering to a domicile-centric policy for the placement of personnel in the education and health departments.
Several key pieces of legislation were approved for placement before the provincial assembly. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Livestock and Poultry Production Act 2024, which will enable the Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Department to register and regulate livestock and poultry production activities in the province, was among the approved bills. Additionally, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Animal Welfare Act 2024 aims to prevent the infliction of unnecessary pain on animals and set standards for humane handling, treatment, and transportation.
The provincial cabinet also approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Livestock Breeding Services Act 2024. This legislation is designed to regulate livestock breeding services, improve the genetic potential of breeds, and protect indigenous breeds of livestock. It also aims to improve the marketing and quality assurance of livestock within the province.
In preparation for the upcoming National Finance Commission (NFC) award, the provincial cabinet has approved a set of forward-looking recommendations to be included in the position paper. Among these recommendations is the demand for a 10-year grant, termed the ‘Pakistan Building Grant,’ sourced from the Federal Divisible Pool. This grant aims to address significant financial needs and development deficits that have accumulated since the 7th NFC award. The cabinet has also called for an interim adjustment to bring the 7th NFC Award into compliance with the Constitution of Pakistan, recommending that KP’s share in the new award be recalculated to include the population and area of the newly merged districts.
The cabinet has approved the cost enhancement of the ADP scheme for the repair and rehabilitation of Mahabat Khan Mosque in Peshawar from Rs87.700 million to Rs152.00 million. The project aims to preserve and restore the historical mosque to its original grandeur. The conservation efforts will include the restoration of the fountain pond, water supply, CCTV system, sound system, illumination work, renovation of the ablution area, and provision of a motorized sunshade.
To strengthen facilities for the smooth devolution of financial and administrative powers to the divisional level, the provincial cabinet has approved the creation of 35 new posts in the Administration Department for the newly declared KP House in D.I Khan.
The provincial cabinet has approved the release of Rs1.377 billion to the Food Department to settle the remaining wheat procurement liabilities for growers, suppliers, and their authorized representatives at 22 wheat procurement centers. This brings the total financial obligations for the procurement of 208,993.873 MT of wheat to Rs20.377 billion. The Finance Department had already disbursed R
