Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Information and Public Relations, Shafi Jan has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s successful public gathering in Peshawar is clear evidence that Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains the party’s strongest bastion, and that Imran Khan’s public popularity has increased more than ever before.

He said Imran Khan is the “insurance policy” of this country and the voice of every young person’s heart. He added that after adopting all constitutional and legal avenues to meet PTI’s founding chairman Imran Khan, Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi turned towards the people’s court.

Speaking at the Peshawar gathering, the Special Assistant stated that all PTI members of the National and Provincial Assemblies stand firmly with the ideology of the founding chairman Imran Khan, and every constitutional, legal, and democratic path will be taken for his release.

Criticizing Pakistan Muslim League (N), Shafi Jan stated that Muslim league merely wears the cloak of democracy, while in reality, it relies on unconstitutional and illegal means to attain power because it cannot afford to remain out of government. He made it clear that the desire to ban PTI exists only among rival political parties. PTI is the largest and most popular political party in the country; the people gave our party the mandate through their vote across the country. But unfortunately, the public mandate was violated, and the PML-N was forcibly imposed in the federation and Punjab through unconstitutional and illegal methods. The party (PNLN) then passed unlawful amendments in parliament to block the path of founding chairman Imran Khan.

SACM Shafi Jan announced that a grand public gathering will also be held next Sunday in Kohat, in which workers from Kohat as well as the southern districts will participate.

Special Assistant to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister for Information and Public Relations, Shafi Jan has said the provincial government is driving “transformative reforms” in education and health, with the welfare and quality education of special children placed at the top of its priorities. He was addressing a ceremony at the Special Education Institute in Kohat.
Shafi Jan said an education emergency has been enforced across the province, with Rs 6.2 billion allocated for improving facilities in schools. He said selected boys’ and girls’ high schools in Kohat are being upgraded to higher secondary level, enabling more students to pursue advanced education. He added that steps are also underway to upgrade the local girls’ college to degree level.
The special assistant noted that establishing a dedicated women’s university in Kohat has become a pressing need and the process of identifying suitable land is in progress. He also announced that Government High School Kohat No. 2 is being upgraded to higher secondary level and a grant of Rs.25 million has been approved to upgrade the Government High School No. 3 to the same level.
Discussing the health sector, Mr. Jan said the province is also under a health emergency. He announced that a 1,000-bed major hospital will be built in Kohat to cater to the southern districts while existing hospitals are being strengthened through comprehensive reforms.
Applauding performances by special children, including recitation and drama, he said their preparation reflected the dedication of teachers and the institute’s administration. Special children require focused support, he said, assuring that the government will continue extending maximum assistance.
Shafi Jan announced a Rs.5 million special grant for the Special Education Institute and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the education, training and welfare of special children.
Later, Mr. Jan also visited the under construction building of Liaqat Memorial Hospital Kohat, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Rahimullah Mehsud. He inspected various sections of the project and reviewed the quality, pace and progress of construction. He directed officials to expedite work, saying the provision of quality healthcare facilities remains a core priority of the provincial government.

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, while addressing the 41st Provincial Cabinet meeting via video link, issued firm policy guidelines aimed at strengthening good governance, transparency, and the use of modern technology in official affairs. He stated that the provincial government has already provided a clear roadmap for good governance and is actively promoting transparency and digitalization across all departments.

Directing officials to prioritize online participation in official meetings, the Chief Minister emphasized that this approach will not only save valuable time but will also result in significant reduction in government expenditures.

Strongly condemning the recent press conference by federal ministers, the Chief Minister termed it inhuman, immoral, and unconstitutional, stating that such behavior is equivalent to deliberately provoking the public and destabilizing the situation. He said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan and his wife are being subjected to solitary confinement, which the provincial government strongly condemns. He reiterated that Imran Khan is a leader of the entire nation, while his wife is a non-political and modest woman, and any mistreatment is unacceptable.

To ensure institutional transparency and merit, the Chief Minister announced that all recruitments in provincial government departments, autonomous, and semi-autonomous bodies will be conducted strictly through Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA), and no recruitment will be carried out through any private testing agency.

Referring to the recent meeting of the National Finance Commission (NFC), the Chief Minister said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s case was presented vehemently and was supported by all participants. He pointed out that the continued denial of the due Rs. 1,375 billion share of the merged districts in the NFC Award over the past years remains a grave injustice.

Expressing deep concern over the 55-day closure of the Torkham border, the Chief Minister said that truck drivers as well as men, women, children, and the elderly are severely affected. He directed the district administration of Khyber to immediately ensure provision of food, shelter, and all essential facilities to the affected people.

The Chief Minister also directed that bulletproof vehicles be provided on a priority basis to civil officers, especially district administration, and instructed that all hurdles in the procurement process be removed without delay.

The 41st Cabinet meeting was held on Friday in Peshawar, with the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the chair via video link. The meeting was attended by cabinet members, the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretaries, concerned administrative secretaries, and the Advocate General.

Briefing on the details of the important decisions taken in the Cabinet meeting, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information and Public Relations, Shafi Jan, said that the Cabinet took key decisions regarding the distribution formula for reserved seats for students of the merged districts in medical and dental colleges, the province’s new posting and transfer policy, the committee report on Action in Aid of Civil Powers law, matters related to wheat stock and procurement, the politically motivated cases of May 9 and 10, the formation of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sugarcane and Sugar Beet Board, additional funding for development schemes, and other public welfare initiatives.

He stated that after the division of South Waziristan into two districts, the matter of redistribution of reserved seats for students of these has been referred to a Cabinet Committee for further consultation. The committee will present its recommendations in the next Cabinet meeting. Similarly, the new Posting and Transfer Policy has also been referred to a Cabinet Committee for further review.

Shafi Jan further informed that the Cabinet approved the nomination of mill representatives for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sugarcane and Sugar Beet Control Board for 2025–26. A detailed briefing was also given on wheat stocks, inter-provincial movement, and future strategy, after which the previously notified committee was authorized to take necessary steps for additional wheat procurement as and when required.

The Cabinet also approved financial assistance for the treatment of two patients undergoing kidney and bone marrow transplants. Additionally, approval was granted for the release of funds under the District Development Plan and District Development Initiatives to ensure timely completion of ongoing projects.

Shafi Jan further stated that a special grant of Rs. 150 million was approved for the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD). It also endorsed the implementation of the recommendations of the committee tasked with proposing measures following the repeal of the Action in Aid of Civil Powers law.

Moreover, he said, the Cabinet decided to refer the inquiry into the Radio Pakistan Peshawar incident to a Special Committee of the Provincial Assembly. It was also decided that politically motivated cases registered on May 9 and 10 without credible evidence will be withdrawn.