An important meeting of the Legislative Committee was held under the chairmanship of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights Aftab Alam where several key draft laws and policy matters were discussed in detail.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Higher Education Meena khan Afridi, Adviser to the Chief Minister on Finance Muzzamil Aslam Advocate General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shah Faisal Uthmankhel ,Senior Member Board of Revenue, Secretary Law Department, Secretary Minerals Department, Chief Commissioner Commissionerate of Minerals, Chairman Higher Education Regulatory Authority, officials of the Law and Finance Departments, officers from the Advocate General’s Office, and representatives of other relevant departments.
The committee held a clause-by-clause discussion on the KP Land Acquisition Act 2025. The proposed amendments aimed at making the land acquisition process transparent, fair, and people-friendly were reviewed, and emphasis was placed on ensuring timely and adequate compensation to affected individuals.
The committee also reconsidered the decision of the CCL regarding the “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Higher Education Insaf Female & Orphan Education Card Endowment Fund Bill, 2025.” Legal and administrative aspects of the proposed fund for promoting higher education among female students and orphan students were thoroughly examined, and recommendations were formulated to make it more effective.
Similarly, the draft KP Registration & Function of the Private Educational Institutions (Amendment) Act, 2025 was discussed. The meeting agreed on strengthening the legal framework for the registration, monitoring, and improvement of educational standards in private institutions to safeguard the rights of parents and students.
The committee also deliberated on the KP Excise Duty on Minerals (Labour Welfare) Act, 2021, considering effective implementation and necessary amendments to ensure the welfare of workers associated with the minerals sector.
Addressing the meeting, Minister for Law Aftab Alam stated that the government is committed to aligning the legislative process with modern requirements while prioritizing public interest. He directed the relevant departments to finalize all proposed amendments in accordance with constitutional requirements and public needs and present them in the next meeting so they may proceed through the formal approval process.

The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has formally launched the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Women Empowerment Policy (2026–2030). The policy was unveiled during a ceremony held in Peshawar in collaboration with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women and UN Women. This policy marks a significant milestone toward strengthening institutional mechanisms for promoting gender equality and empowering women across the province.
The chief guest at the ceremony was Provincial Minister for Law, Human Rights and Parliamentary Affairs Aftab Alam. The event was also attended by Chairperson of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women Dr Sumera Shams, Secretary of the Commission Shazia Ata, the Chief Khateeb, senior provincial government officials, members of the Provincial Assembly, heads of key institutions, representatives of civil society, academia, the private sector, United Nations agencies, development partners, and other important stakeholders.
Addressing the ceremony, Minister Aftab Alam stated that the Women Empowerment Policy (2026–2030) is not merely a document but a practical commitment of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to safeguard women’s rights, dignity, and equal opportunities. He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to ensure effective implementation of the policy through legislation, institutional coordination, and timely provision of resources.
On the occasion, Chairperson Dr. Samira Shams stated that the success of the policy depends on strong institutional coordination and continuous monitoring. Referring to the vision of PTI’s founding leader Imran Khan to make women equal partners in development, she said the policy reflects a shared responsibility to translate commitments into practical actions. She added that the Commission will work closely with all relevant departments and partners to ensure transparent, inclusive, and accountable implementation.
During the ceremony, Secretary Shazia Atta delivered a detailed presentation on the Women Empowerment Policy (2026–2030), briefing participants on its key features, priority sectors, and implementation mechanisms.
A representative of UN Women remarked that the policy is an important step toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 and promoting gender-responsive governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. UN Women will continue to support the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through technical assistance, institutional coordination, and the sharing of global best practices to ensure effective implementation of the policy.
The Women Empowerment Policy (2026–2030) aims to strengthen gender-responsive governance, improve women’s access to justice, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, promote meaningful participation in decision-making, and integrate gender perspectives into digital innovation, climate resilience, and social protection systems. The policy also gives special consideration to the needs of the merged districts and emerging gender disparities identified at the provincial level.
The ceremony concluded with a panel discussion in which experts from social, economic, legal, political, digital, and climate sectors presented practical recommendations to translate the policy into actionable outcomes. Government representatives reaffirmed their commitment to effective implementation through departmental work plans, budget integration, and monitoring mechanisms.
In conclusion, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and UN Women expressed their joint commitment that the Women Empowerment Policy (2026–2030) will bring tangible and lasting improvements to the lives of women and girls across the province.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Public Health Engineering, Fazal Shakoor Khan, on Wednesday presided over an important review meeting regarding the mega schemes of PHE department at the conference room of the department.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Public Health Engineering Masood Younis, Chief Engineers, Director Technical, Director Lab, and other concerned officers. The Provincial Minister was given a detailed briefing on the approved and unapproved Water Supply and Sanitation sector schemes for the fiscal year 2025–26.

During the briefing, a comprehensive discussion was held on the progress achieved so far on ongoing schemes, challenges being faced, timely release of funds, and administrative matters.

Various proposals were considered to expedite the completion of projects and to ensure the timely provision of clean drinking water and improved sanitation facilities to the public.

The meeting also held an in-depth discussion on the proposed Annual Development Programme (ADP) schemes for the fiscal year 2026–27, and priorities were determined accordingly.

On this occasion, the Provincial Minister was also briefed in detail about the pre-qualification criteria for companies and firms for the solarization of tube wells, aimed at ensuring transparency and quality standards.

The Provincial Minister directed that all ongoing schemes be properly categorized and that those nearing completion should be prioritized for early completion. He emphasized that the preparation of a comprehensive master plan is essential to ensure future planning is well-coordinated, effective, and sustainable.

The Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Arshad Ayub Khan, has said that providing educational facilities to students under the Double Shift School Program in the province is a people-friendly initiative of the current government. He stated that the purpose of offering classes in a second shift in schools is to make better use of educational infrastructure and to reduce the number of out-of-school children.
He expressed these views while chairing a meeting in Peshawar on Wednesday regarding the Double Shift School Program. On the occasion, Secretary Elementary and Secondary Education Muhammad Khalid, Special Secretary Masood Ahmad, Chief Planning Officer Zainullah, Director Elementary and Secondary Education Naghmana Sardar, and other officials were also present.
During the meeting, the provincial minister was briefed that in order to continue the program and achieve the desired targets, various non-governmental organizations are cooperating alongside the government. It was further informed that currently 1,007 double shift schools are fully functional in the province. Additionally, 158 more schools will be shifted to the double shift system, including 114 girls’ schools. Likewise, 100 schools will be upgraded, including primary, middle, and high schools.
While addressing the meeting, the provincial minister said that the current government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa considers the Double Shift School Program highly important because it is helping provide quality education to out-of-school children in the province. He added that in remote areas of the province, girls previously faced significant difficulties and challenges in accessing education, which often left their education incomplete. However, through this second-time program, girls in remote areas are now able to receive education in schools located near their villages.
He further stated that necessary measures will be taken to expand the Double Shift School Program, and wherever needed, the government will provide full support in this regard.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority has continued its province-wide crackdown against adulteration and the sale of substandard food items.
According to the spokesperson, Food Safety teams, in coordination with district administrations, carried out joint operations in Buner, Battagram, Haripur, Lakki Marwat, Mardan, Lower Dir and Charsadda under the provincial government’s Ramazan Plan.
During the operations, inspections were conducted at meat shops, milk sellers, samosa and pakora outlets, bakeries, kebab shops, general stores and other food businesses. Several outlets were sealed and heavy fines were imposed over violations including the sale of meat from underage animals, use of substandard and rancid cooking oil, poor hygiene conditions and non-compliance with food safety SOPs.
The spokesperson said that in Battagram, the Mansehra Food Safety team confiscated and destroyed 200 liters of substandard cooking oil and 50 kilograms of spoiled liver. In Haripur, 150 liters of adulterated and substandard milk were discarded on the spot after failing tests conducted through mobile food testing laboratory.
Similarly, in Mardan, Lower Dir and Charsadda, cooking oil used at kebab and frying units was tested with modern equipment. Substandard oil was destroyed and fines were imposed accordingly. Improvement notices were also issued to several businesses, while expired licenses were renewed and new licenses were issued where required.
Director General Kashif Iqbal Jilani appreciated the performance of the food safety teams and reiterated that ensuring the provision of safe and quality food to the public remains the top priority of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He emphasized that indiscriminate action against the adulteration mafia will continue.
He urged citizens to report any substandard or hazardous food items through the Authority’s toll-free and WhatsApp numbers or at complaint desks established in their respective districts, and to play their role as responsible citizens.

The Minister for Labour, Faisal Khan Tarakai, officially chaired the 87th meeting of the Governing Body (GB) of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Employees Social Security Institution (ESSI), where he underscored a commitment to revolutionizing healthcare and administrative transparency for the province’s workforce. The session commenced with the formal confirmation of the minutes from the 86th Governing Body meeting, setting a foundation for the new strategic directives aimed at expanding the institution’s operational reach.
In a significant move to enhance patient convenience, the chair approved the opening of dedicated medical stores within the premises of existing Medicare centers and the Polyclinic in Peshawar, ensuring that laborers have immediate access to essential medicines. Furthering the expansion of the healthcare network, the meeting saw the formal approval for the establishment of a new Medicare center in District Swabi, a move designed to provide localized medical support to the region’s industrial hub. These infrastructure developments were coupled with a comprehensive review of procurement needs, specifically focusing on the acquisition of modern medical equipment and a new fleet of ambulances to upgrade the emergency response capabilities of KP ESSI.
To ensure the highest standards of fiscal responsibility, the body also moved to amend the audit process of ESSI accounts, proposing that all future financial evaluations be conducted through the Auditor General of Pakistan.
The meeting featured active participation from Governing Body member Muhammad Iqbal, who presented various suggestions to optimize institutional efficiency. Minister Faisal Khan Tarakai concluded the session by reiterating that the provincial government remains dedicated to providing high-quality care facilities and a transparent, accountable framework that prioritizes the dignity and well-being of the labor community.

In a major operation against drug traffickers in Peshawar, the Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has carried out a series of coordinated raids, recovering more than three kilograms of crystal meth (‘ice’) and arresting four accused, including a woman.

The crackdown was launched in line with the zero-tolerance policy of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government against narcotics and on the directives of Provincial Minister for Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Syed Fakhar Jahan.

According to official details, the Excise Intelligence Squad recovered a total of 3,145 grams of ice during multiple operations conducted in different parts of the provincial capital. All four suspects were taken into custody and legal proceedings were initiated.

The operations were carried out by various field teams under the supervision of Provincial In-charge Excise Intelligence Saud Khan Gandapur and Excise and Taxation Officer (Counter Narcotics Operations) Majid Khan.

In the first operation, acting on a tip-off near the Pir Zakori Bridge, the Excise Intelligence Squad arrested drug trafficker Sajid Afridi and recovered 670 grams of ice from his possession.

In the second operation at the joint check post on the Peshawar Motorway, another trafficker, Muhammad Ibrahim, was arrested with 540 grams of ice.

In the third operation, conducted on a service road, a woman suspected of drug smuggling was arrested with the assistance of a lady constable and 1,035 grams of ice were recovered from her custody.

In the fourth operation at the joint motorway check post, the Excise team arrested Muhammad Imran son of Arif Ali and recovered 900 grams of ice during a personal search.

According to official information, separate cases have been registered against all the arrested suspects at the Excise Police Station, Peshawar Region and further investigation is under way.

The Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department reaffirmed its resolve to continue indiscriminate and sustained operations against narcotics to protect society, particularly the younger generation, from the scourge of drugs.

A meeting of the Board of Governors of Bacha Khan Model School for Girls, Totai Lai, District Buner, was held in Peshawar on Tuesday under the chairmanship of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education, Arshad Ayub Khan, who is also the Chairman of the Board. The meeting was attended by Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education, Muhammad Khalid, Additional Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education, Muhammad Saleh, Chief Planning Officer of Elementary and Secondary Education, Zain Ullah, and other board members and relevant officials.
During the meeting, matters related to the construction, repair, and flood protection measures for the building of Bacha Khan Model School for Girls, including the construction of a protective wall along the stream, were discussed. It was reported that the cost of constructing the building would amount to approximately 70 million rupees.
In his address during the meeting, the provincial minister stated that the current government would utilize available resources to make Bacha Khan Model School for Girls a model educational institution. He mentioned that to protect the building from flood damages, it was essential to construct a protective wall along the stream. He further assured that the government would provide the required funds to renovate the school and restore it to its original form.
The provincial minister also announced a salary increase of 2,000 rupees for the staff of Bacha Khan Model School and added that, in the future, the institution would be upgraded from a high school to a higher secondary school.