Gandapur convenes APC for tribal peace
Briefing media on the meeting's decisions, Barrister Dr Muhammad Ali Saif, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations, said the Chief Minister announced plans to convene an All Parties Conference next week. The initiative aims to build political consensus and formulate a joint strategy for establishing long-term peace in terrorism-affected areas, particularly in the tribal belt.
Highlighting recent peace efforts, the Chief Minister noted that the restoration of calm in District Kurram was made possible through government-led negotiations with tribal elders and jirgas. He expressed hope that similar models could help bring peace to other restive regions.
The Cabinet also discussed reforms to the 3MPO (Maintenance of Public Order) law, emphasizing the need to prevent its misuse. The Chief Minister compared it to the outdated Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR), stressing that its implementation must now require prior approval from the Home Department.
On the topic of natural disasters, the Chief Minister urged all political actors to refrain from politicizing human tragedies and reiterated K-P's readiness to assist other provinces in times of need.
The Cabinet approved Rs5 million in compensation for each family of K-P martyrs affected by Indian aggression and Rs10 million for the family of Maulana Khanzeb, who was martyred in a terrorist attack.
Several key legal and administrative reforms were approved, including the K-P Agriculture Income Tax Rules 2025, the Environmental Audit Rules 2025, and the Environmental Protection (Sealing or Seizing) Rules 2025. A cabinet committee was formed to review a proposal to remove the death penalty clause from the K-P Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 2019.
To support citizens with critical health needs, financial assistance of Rs48.1 million was sanctioned for four patients — Rozina, Anas Khan, Muhammad Aman, and Muhammad Azlan — for life-saving treatments.
In education, the Cabinet approved the handover of Dir Model School Dodba for establishing a Khyber Medical University Institute of Health Sciences campus in Upper Dir. It also authorized land acquisition worth Rs38.69 million for a project to supply Swat River water to Mingora via gravity flow.
Cost adjustments were also approved for health initiatives, including an increase in funding for the Health Management Information System Phase-II, from Rs318.5 million to Rs375.2 million.
Administrative decisions included appointments to the Paraplegic Center Board of Governors, the K-P Child Protection and Welfare Commission, and the posting of the Health Foundation's Managing Director.
Under the Provincial Action Plan, the Cabinet sanctioned the installation of RFID and machine-readable number plates for already-profiled non-custom paid (NCP) vehicles, clarifying that the move would not involve any tax collection.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
18 hours ago
- Express Tribune
No aid, no justice: Qawwal group to stage sit-in
Overwhelmed by sorrow, Qawwal Majid Ali Sabri breaks down at the funeral of his brother, nephew, and a fellow troupe member, while PPP's Saeed Ghani, Governor Kamran Tessori of MQM-P, and PTI's Haleem Adil Sheikh stand united in condolence. PHOTO: JALAL QURESHI/EXPRESS Qawwal Majid Ali Sabri has announced a protest and symbolic sit-in outside the Karachi Press Club on Friday, accompanied by musical instruments and fellow musicians, in response to the federal and provincial governments' failure to announce any form of compensation - more than a week after the Kalat tragedy. Majid Ali Sabri, of the renowned Sabri Qawwal family, stated that certificates received from performances in Qawwali gatherings cannot eradicate hunger and poverty. His group, which lost members in the Kalat incident, has warned of a peaceful demonstration after Friday prayers, where they will gather outside the Karachi Press Club with their instruments to express their outrage through silence. The protest is in response to the absence of any financial assistance or official statements acknowledging the loss of three lives and the injury of five others, one of whom remains in critical condition in hospital. In an interview with The Express Tribune, Sabri emphasised that unless immediate aid and compensation are announced, they will place their tabla, harmonium, and dholak on the ground in a silent sit-in to "shake the conscience of those in power." Sabri expressed frustration over repeated appeals to government officials that have resulted only in sympathy and hollow assurances. "No practical steps have been taken, and no meaningful response has come for the families who lost everything," he said. "There is deep sorrow and even deeper hunger in the homes of the victims." He described the homes of the deceased Qawwals as filled not just with grief, but with the cries of hungry children, saying families are struggling for basic necessities like food and milk. "Performance certificates cannot fill stomachs," he said. "They are not enough to address this suffering." Sabri stressed that the group is not demanding govt stipends, but rather justice — which, he said, is the right of every citizen affected by terrorism. "We have brought honour to this country through our art," he said. "Now it is the government's responsibility to answer our call." He also voiced disappointment at the silence of prominent cultural and literary institutions, which have not stepped forward to support the grieving families or demand justice on their behalf.
Express Tribune
18 hours ago
- Express Tribune
KE agrees to pay Sindh Rs9b electricity duty
Additional concerns were raised over capacity payments to K-Electric's power plants, projected to cost over Rs 82b. PHOTO: FILE The K-Electric (KE) after several years of delay has started payments of electricity duty amounting to Rs32 billion, it has collected from consumers through monthly bills, to the Sindh government. As per the agreement, the power utility has agreed to pay Rs1.25 billion to the provincial government in two installments. This move is part of a broader agreement under which KE has committed to pay Rs9.142 billion out of a total outstanding amount exceeding Rs32 billion. A payment schedule has also been issued. According to the agreed timeline, the power utility will pay Rs4.258 billion to the Sindh government by September 2025. Additionally, the K-Electric will now be required to regularly remit the electricity duty it collects from consumers through monthly bills. The issue of non-payment of electricity duty was taken up by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Meanwhile, the Rs25 billion dues between KE and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board remain unresolved. K-Electric has warned government departments of potential disconnection if bills are not paid on time. The power utility in its letter to the secretary of the Sindh Energy Department referred to the discussion between KE team and PAC members on June 31, during which payment with respect to Electricity Duty (ED) was deliberated upon. As agreed, reconciled electricity consumption dues of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) will be held for adjustment against ED accumulated up to August 2024 and the excess amount of ED for the said period shall be paid by KE in line with the agreed installments as reflected in the schedule. Furthermore, KE will also deposit the respective ED amount for the period from September 2024 to September 2025, no later than 30th September 2025, into the respective Government Treasury. Moreover, it was also discussed that payment to KE for electricity dues by Sindh government and its various departments should also be paid on timely basis failing which, KE would be at liberty to take appropriate action including, but not limited to, disconnection of the respective electricity connections albeit in accordance with law.
Express Tribune
20 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Multi-party confab on security today
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government is set to host an All Parties Conference (APC) on law and order today at the Chief Minister's House in Peshawar. Invitations have been sent out by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to political parties and representatives from various schools of thought. However, three major political parties — Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and Awami National Party (ANP) — have declined to attend. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) acknowledged receiving the invitation but is yet to confirm attendance, while Jamaat-e-Islami has announced it will participate. The APC has been convened to discuss the deteriorating security situation in the province. Chief Minister Gandapur emphasized the need for a joint strategy to counter terrorism, stating, "Restoring peace is a collective responsibility. The re-emergence of terrorism is alarming and must be confronted unitedly. We must rise above differences for the sake of peace." ANP Provincial President Mian Iftikhar Hussain said his party would have participated had the APC been called by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as a political entity. "This is a government-led initiative, and decisions are already pre-determined. Therefore, ANP will not take part," he remarked. PPP Provincial President Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha dismissed the APC as a symbolic exercise, citing what he called a "non-serious" provincial government. "They should focus on public issues instead of protests and sit-ins," he added. JUI-F spokesperson Abdul Jalil Jan also confirmed the party will not attend the APC. Meanwhile, PML-N provincial spokesperson Ikhtiar Wali claimed the party has not yet received a formal invitation. He also noted that the prime minister has summoned a tribal Jirga today.
