KP CM orders interest-free loans for media startups

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has directed officials to prepare a scheme for interest-free loans aimed at helping establish media production and broadcasting setups.

The chief minister said the proposed initiative would open self-employment opportunities for young journalists and enable them to launch their own media platforms. He said such measures would strengthen journalists and help them carry out their professional responsibilities with greater independence.

The directions were issued during a high-level meeting chaired by the chief minister to review the Annual Development Programme for the fiscal year 2026-27.

According to the details shared from the meeting, proposed projects in several sectors came under review, including Information and Public Relations, Science and Technology, Information Technology, Law, Mines and Minerals, and Labour. The meeting also discussed broader proposals related to the province’s development, employment generation, and institutional improvement.

Focus on journalist welfare

During the meeting, the chief minister placed special emphasis on the welfare and autonomy of journalists and ordered the preparation of a comprehensive framework for interest-free loans. "Young journalists must have access to resources to become self-reliant and establish their own media ventures," he said.

He also directed officials to formulate detailed schemes for the establishment of media colonies for journalists and for the upgradation of press clubs in the merged districts.

Judicial and legal sector proposals

In the judicial sector, the chief minister ordered the establishment of daycare centres in all judicial complexes. The meeting also considered proposals for setting up a Judicial Academy in Peshawar and new District Judicial Complexes in Bajaur and Mansehra.

He further instructed that proposed amendments be introduced to strengthen the Workplace Harassment Law and to ensure complete confidentiality in the complaint process.

Labour and mining sectors

On labour and child protection, the chief minister stressed the need for effective schemes to eliminate child labour and to bring affected children back into the education system.

For the mining sector, he directed large-scale tree plantation in mining areas and proposed steps to strengthen Mines Rescue, Safety, and Training Centres in the merged districts.

The meeting formed part of the government’s review of development priorities for the next fiscal year, with discussions spanning multiple sectors tied to public welfare, institutional capacity, and job creation.