The Senate of Khyber Medical University (KMU) Peshawar unanimously approved a surplus budget of Rs. 279.976 million. The approval was granted during the 19th Senate meeting held at Alexander Fleming Hall, KMU, under the chairmanship of Pro-Chancellor and Advisor to the Chief Minister on Health, Mr. Ihtisham Ali. The meeting was attended by KMU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zia ul Haq, former Supreme Court Judge Justice (R) Mian Muhammad Ajmal, former Additional IG Police Akhtar Ali Shah, and other members.

Briefing the Senate, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zia ul Haq said that KMU was established 18 years ago with very limited resources, but today it has grown into a strong and flourishing institution with over 200 affiliated colleges in the fields of Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Rehabilitation, Public Health, Basic Medical Sciences, Pharmacy, and Allied Health Sciences, and more than 75,000 students. He added that with sub-campuses in major districts of the province and the establishment of the Islamabad campus, KMU has already attained national recognition, while upcoming international campuses in Kabul and Saudi Arabia will elevate it to the global level.

He further informed that KMU’s research grant has reached Rs. 2 billion, while in the Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) ranking, KMU’s Quality Enhancement Cell stood at the top with a 95% score. He said that the successful diagnostic services provided by the Public Health Reference Lab (PHRL) will soon be expanded commercially across the province. KMU is also the first medical university in the province to establish a 500-bed general hospital, which will soon be inaugurated by the Chief Minister.

The Vice Chancellor added that due to strict implementation of the financial austerity policy and conversion of pension and GP Fund into the Contributory Provident Fund (CP Fund), the university has once again been able to present a surplus budget.

Speaking on the occasion, Health Advisor Ihtisham Ali praised KMU’s performance and financial management, stating that at a time when most universities in the province are facing financial deficits, KMU’s presentation of a surplus budget is a commendable and exemplary achievement. He said that the determination of vision and goals, and the struggle for their achievement, reflect KMU’s commitment and hard work, which is indeed praiseworthy and a matter of pride.

He assured the Senate that the provincial government and the Health Department will provide all necessary facilities to KMU on a priority basis, enabling the only medical university of the province to achieve its mission and vision more effectively.

Earlier, the Senate approved the budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 with an income of Rs. 5077.325 million and expenditures of Rs. 4797.349 million, reflecting a surplus of Rs. 279.976 million. The Senate also unanimously approved the revised budget of the fiscal year 2024-25, which showed an income of Rs. 4907.126 million and expenditures of Rs. 4186.748 million, with a surplus of Rs. 720.378 million. On this occasion, Health Advisor Ihtisham Ali also inaugurated the newly established Student Facilitation Center at KMU. #

The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has formally commenced the disbursement of compensation cheques to the families of those who lost their lives in the recent devastating floods in District Buner.

In this connection, Provincial Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Syed Fakhar Jehan, visited the worst-affected area of Beshunai on Monday, where he personally handed over compensation cheques to the families of the flood martyrs.

In line with the commitment of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, for each bereaved, their family is being provided with a cheque of Rs. 2 million.

Deputy Commissioner Buner, Kashif Qayyum, along with senior district administration officials, was also present on the occasion.

According to the Deputy Commissioner, a total of 218 deaths reported due to the floods and the process of compensation disbursement has begun from Beshunai while all the checks pertaining to the martyrs of Buner will be handed over by Tuesday

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Minister for Irrigation Aqib Ullah Khan, visited Dalori village in Gadoon, Tehsil Topi, affected by recent rains and natural calamities. During the visit, the Minister met with the affected families, and expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved, and assured them all possible support. The Minister directed the concerned authorities to immediately impose an emergency in the Irrigation Department to prevent any further losses to the public. He further instructed for the formation of special monitoring teams to closely observe the situation and to ensure the effective provision of relief and rehabilitation services. Aqib Ullah Khan stated that the district administration and rescue authorities are already on high alert and all available resources are being mobilized. He reiterated that the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands firmly with its people and will extend full support. Highlighting the importance of timely relief, the Minister emphasized that although no compensation can substitute for the loss of human life, the government is committed to taking every possible measure to address the damages suffered by the affected families. He urged the concerned departments to accelerate relief and rehabilitation operations so that the victims may be facilitated at the earliest. The Provincial Minister also appealed to the public to demonstrate patience and cooperate with government institutions. He remarked that natural disasters are a collective test of resilience, and assured that the government will never leave its people alone in such circumstances.

In a video message, Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shahab Ali Shah said that on the night of August 14 and 15, heavy rains and cloudbursts hit several districts of the province, including Bajaur, Dir, Buner, Swat, Shangla, Battagram, and Mansehra, causing massive loss of life and property. He said that immediately after the disaster, an effective rescue operation was launched in which Rescue 1122, the Relief Department, district administrations, police, and personnel of the Pakistan Army took part. More than 2,000 personnel and over 200 vehicles are currently engaged in the rescue and relief operations.

The Chief Secretary said that the floods had cut off access to many areas, destroying roads and bridges. However, thanks to the tireless efforts of rescue teams, 90 percent of roads and bridges have been restored, reconnecting most affected areas. In places where road access has not yet been restored, relief supplies are being delivered on foot or through alternative means. He added that the PDMA, NDMA, PKHA and Pakistan Army’s Engineering Corps are working jointly to rebuild damaged infrastructure. Where permanent bridges cannot be constructed immediately, temporary steel bridges are being installed. Alongside this, work is underway at a fast pace to restore electricity supply and cellular networks. The Chief Minister has directed all public representatives to remain present in their respective constituencies and keep close contact with affected families.

According to Shahab Ali Shah, food rations and other essential supplies have been arranged and are being provided continuously. The Public Health Engineering Department and other concerned agencies are working to ensure the supply of clean drinking water in flood-affected areas. Medical camps have also been set up in different districts where doctors and staff from the Health Department and the Army Medical Corps are providing healthcare facilities.

The Chief Secretary said that Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has announced a special relief and compensation package for the victims. Funds have already been released for the families of martyrs and the injured, and distribution has begun from today. The Chief Minister also visited flood-hit areas, met public representatives and provincial as well as federal officials, and instructed them to remain alert and intensify their efforts. He said that the provincial government had already released Rs. 3 billion to accelerate restoration and rehabilitation works.

Highlighting the weather forecast, the Chief Secretary said that two more monsoon spells are expected by the end of August and the first week of September. In view of this, the government has activated its early warning system. District administrations have been directed to monitor the situation closely and issue timely alerts to the public. People living in high-risk areas should be temporarily shifted to safer places, he added.

Appealing to the people, the Chief Secretary urged citizens not to pay attention to rumors and strictly follow instructions issued by the administration. He emphasized that rescue and district administration teams are present on the ground and that full cooperation is essential. “All citizens are requested to take government warnings seriously in order to protect their precious lives and properties,” he said.

The Chief Secretary further stated that both national and international organizations are sending relief items to the province. Logistics hubs have been set up in every district to receive relief goods and dispatch them in an organized manner to areas in need. This, he said, would prevent duplication of efforts and ensure timely delivery of assistance.

He added that the Prime Minister has also announced a relief package, terming it a “national effort” in which federal and provincial governments, along with different units of the Pakistan Army, are working jointly to serve the people. “All institutions – civil, federal, provincial, and military – are fully mobilized to reduce the suffering of the people in this difficult time and to provide them immediate relief,” the Chief Secretary concluded.

Arrangements Underway for Provision of Tents in Various Affected Areas

Following the directives of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Syed Fakhar Jehan, relief activities have been intensified in flood-affected districts of the province.

Under the supervision of Director Youth Affairs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Nauman Mujahid and District Youth Officers, youth volunteers are working round the clock to deliver essential food items, clean drinking water and mosquito nets to families hit hardest by the disaster in Swat, Buner, Battagram, Mansehra, and Shangla. Volunteer camps have also been set up to ensure uninterrupted supply of basic necessities.

In Shangla’s Puran tehsil, ration packs were distributed through the Jawan Markaz, including rice, flour, pulses, sugar, tea, milk, spices, cooking oil, salt, matchboxes, bottled water, mosquito nets, pain relief medicines and other daily-use items. In addition, arrangements are being made for the supply of 40 to 50 tents to accommodate displaced families.

Likewise, in Buner’s Peer Baba area, the District Youth Officer and his team, along with local youth volunteers, carried out the distribution of food and relief items among affected households.

Minister Syed Fakhar Jehan commended the dedication of youth volunteers, stressing that in remote and mountainous areas, ensuring a steady supply of food and essential commodities for at least one week is vital. He directed concerned officials and District Youth Officers to further strengthen the relief operations so that timely support reaches every affected family.

On the special directives of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Agriculture, Major (Retd.) Sajjad Barkwal, and Secretary Agriculture, Dr. Ambar Ali Khan, an Emergency Control Room has been activated at the Bureau of Agriculture Information, Peshawar, effective from August 15, to facilitate and guide farmers.

Recent rains and floods have caused severe damage to crops and farmlands across various districts of the province. In view of this situation, farmers can report any agricultural losses or problems to the Emergency Control Room. For this purpose, a dedicated helpline 0348-1117070 has been issued, where staff is available round-the-clock (24/7) to provide guidance and assistance.

Officials of the Agriculture Extension Department stated that in this difficult time, the department stands firmly with the farming community and will extend all possible support to resolve their issues. The control room will remain fully operational to ensure immediate redressal of farmers’ problems and to facilitate them effectively.