PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Sunday emphasised that all provincial recruitments will be carried out on merit, warning that political recommendations will not influence hiring decisions.
Addressing a public gathering in Kohat organised by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Afridi said the provincial administration has a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and urged citizens to report any irregularities. “If anyone provides evidence of corruption, action will be taken impartially,” he stated.
The chief minister highlighted that 16,000 positions in the Elementary and Secondary Education Department had already been filled entirely on merit. He challenged the media to present a single instance where a government job was given on political recommendation.
Afridi added that upcoming recruitments—including 983 jail wardens, 3,200 lecturers, 1,800 police constables, and 640 CTD personnel—will also follow strict merit-based procedures under the EATA system.
The CM underlined that the provincial government prioritises transparency, good governance, and public investment. He said an open-door policy has been implemented across district, divisional, and provincial offices to ensure citizens’ grievances are addressed promptly.
He further announced development projects for Kohat, including full funding for a Girls Cadet College, a new girls’ campus at Kohat University, a 1,000-bed hospital, and initiatives to improve access to clean drinking water. Afridi said deficiencies at the DHQ Hospital would be addressed and that work on blacktop roads and water supply schemes would be accelerated.
