CM aide backs KP budget amid criticism

PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Information and Public Relations Minister Shafi Jan on Saturday defended the provincial budget as a historic and people-oriented financial plan, saying it gives priority to public welfare, health, education and police reforms.

Speaking at a post-budget press conference alongside Adviser to the Chief Minister on Finance Muzammil Aslam, Shafi Jan said the budget had been prepared under the leadership of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and was aimed at improving service delivery for citizens. He said the provincial government believed its allocations in key social sectors were higher than those made by the federal government and other provinces.

Referring to spending priorities, Shafi Jan said the budget included major allocations for health, education, police and other public service sectors. "Substantial allocations have been made for health, education, police, and other public service sectors," he stated.

Allocations for journalists and media infrastructure

Shafi Jan said the government had earmarked Rs1,000 million for journalists’ welfare and professional development. According to him, this amount includes Rs300 million for the merged districts and will cover welfare initiatives, training opportunities, scholarships for journalists’ children and internship programmes.

He also announced Rs500 million for feasibility studies and design work related to media colonies for journalists. In addition, he said Rs150 million had been allocated for the construction of a new Peshawar Press Club building equipped with modern facilities.

Comments on political issues and Imran Khan meetings

On political matters, Shafi Jan said the K-P government would not provide any grant to the federal government until former prime minister Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were moved to Al-Shifa Hospital and granted access to television, newspapers and other facilities in line with the Constitution and the law.

He said a meeting between Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and Imran Khan was the chief minister’s legitimate right. Shafi Jan added that leaders from other political parties had also been consulted during the budget preparation process.

The minister called for the restoration of meetings with Imran Khan and urged the authorities to arrange an early meeting between the PTI founder and the K-P chief minister. He also said the merged tribal districts urgently needed Rs300 billion in funding.