KP cabinet upholds merit in hiring of 2,400 contract doctors

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet has declared that the recruitment of 2,400 doctors on contract was carried out on merit and in line with prescribed rules, while also saying that any proven injustice would be addressed even after appointments are finalised.

The decision was taken at the last cabinet meeting of the financial year 2025-26, chaired by Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi. During the session, the chief minister said the next three months would be crucial in turning the newly approved budget into practical relief for citizens. He told participants that government performance should be judged by public satisfaction at the grassroots level rather than presentations or social media activity.

Afridi also commended cabinet members, parliamentary secretaries, and officials of the finance and planning and development departments for preparing what he described as a people-focused budget. He said implementation would now be the key challenge and directed departments to keep their attention on public service delivery. He further asked parliamentary representatives to take an active role in development work and governance so that outcomes align with public expectations and with Imran Khan’s stated emphasis on transparent and merit-based governance.

Complaints on doctors’ recruitment reviewed

On the issue of the doctors’ hiring process, the chief minister said several complaints had been received through the CM Complaint Cell. According to him, most of the complaints were linked to personal details, while around 21 were related to merit. After a detailed review, the process was found to be consistent with the rules, although he said some candidates did not have complete awareness of the procedure.

Afridi said the complaint cell would remain open and that deserving candidates would be accommodated if any injustice was established, given the province’s shortage of doctors.

"No eligible candidate will be ignored," he said.

Administrative and development decisions

The cabinet also approved a series of administrative and development measures. These included shutting down the Transport Department’s Driving School and transferring its staff to a new Driving Cell to strengthen regulation of private driving schools.

It also approved amendments to the Letters of Administration and Succession Certificates Rules 2021, under which complete fee exemptions will be available to the legal heirs of martyrs from the armed forces, police, and civilians killed in terrorism or conflict.

Among other decisions, the cabinet approved the transfer of two kanals of land in Ratta Kulachi, Dera Ismail Khan, to NADRA for the establishment of a regional office. It also cleared the formation of a Debt Management Committee, the creation of a Digital Governance Enablement Unit in the finance department, and the $20 million Public Resources for Inclusive Development program aimed at improving revenue generation and digital service delivery.

The cabinet further allocated funds for pursuing the province’s NFC case and approved extensions and budgets for health facilities, including Government General Hospital Nishtarabad.

Information Minister Shafiq Jan later briefed the media on the cabinet’s decisions and said the government remained committed to transparency, merit and zero tolerance for corruption. Afridi also reiterated that official actions should reflect a practical commitment to serving the public.