Latest news with #MuhammadAliSaif
Express Tribune
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Cabinet approves major climate, legal reforms
The 33rd meeting of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, convened on Friday to deliberate on a broad array of legislative, administrative, and development matters. Key cabinet members, the Chief Secretary, Advocate General, and senior officials attended the session. Briefing media on the outcomes, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations, Barrister Dr Muhammad Ali Saif, said the cabinet approved the Climate Action Board (CAB) Bill 2025, a landmark step toward a coordinated provincial response to climate change. The financially independent board will oversee climate policies, track greenhouse gas emissions, support climate research, and mobilize funding. It will function autonomously and be empowered to appoint staff and consultants necessary to execute its mandate. In legislative actions, the cabinet endorsed forwarding three provincial assembly resolutions to the federal government. Resolution No 167, passed on April 28, voiced grave concern over the repeated arrests and alleged mistreatment of former MNA Ali Wazir. It demanded his immediate release, access to medical care, and withdrawal of politically motivated cases. Resolution No 161 urged a revision of Pakistan's Afghanistan policy, citing its failure to curb terrorism in K-P and its negative impact on bilateral relations. It called for K-P to be given a more active role in peace dialogues. The third resolution, No 168, condemned India's aggressive posture, including threats related to the Indus Waters Treaty, and expressed solidarity with Pakistan's armed forces. The assembly urged the international community to act against India's violations of international obligations. Among development projects, the cabinet approved an enhanced budget for the construction of Jani Khel police station in Bannu, increasing costs from Rs100 million to Rs140.43 million. It also sanctioned a cadastral mapping pilot project in Peshawar and Mohmand through an MoU between the Board of Revenue and the Survey of Pakistan. Further approvals included amendments to Health Department recruitment rules enabling hiring of dental surgeons and nurses, and changes to the Tourism Act 2019 to empower the board to manage employment matters of tourism police. The cabinet ratified construction of a 750-meter road near Odigram Bridge in Lower Dir at a cost of Rs190 million and raised the budget for Takatak-Haya Sairai Bridge to Rs1.02 billion.
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Kurram peace restored: 979 bunkers dismantled
Advisor to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, announced that peace has been successfully restored in Kurram District through the diplomatic and determined efforts of Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur. According to Saif, the region has been cleared of bunkers and weapons, with a total of approximately 979 bunkers belonging to both parties destroyed. Additionally, 86 villages have been disarmed, and all confiscated weapons and ammunition have been placed in government custody. He emphasized that the main source of tension between the two sides was the presence of bunkers and weapons. Addressing the conflict, the chief minister allocated his personal helicopter for humanitarian aid. Through 338 helicopter sorties, 29,140 kilograms of medicines were delivered to the affected areas. Moreover, 9,290 individuals, including patients, were safely evacuated to Peshawar and other locations. Saif added that development work in the area is now progressing rapidly and Rs100 million has been approved for the repair of the Tall-Parachinar Road.
Express Tribune
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
K-P, Balochistan slam Indian aggression
In a decisive move reflecting national solidarity, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) cabinet and Balochistan Assembly on Wednesday convened emergency sessions to condemn India's recent unprovoked aggression, pledging full support to Pakistan's armed forces and calling for unity in national defense strategies. The high-level meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, included the Speaker and Leader of the Opposition of the Provincial Assembly, top bureaucrats, and district officials via video link. The session opened with a solemn prayer for the martyrs and civilians affected by the attack. Addressing the media, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information, Barrister Dr Muhammad Ali Saif, said the cabinet strongly condemned the Indian incursion, calling it a blatant violation of international law and a dangerous escalation. "The cowardly targeting of civilians under the cover of night reveals India's aggressive mindset," he stated. Reiterating full loyalty to the nation's defense, the cabinet pledged unflinching support to Pakistan's armed forces, declaring, "We stand united and prepared to defend every inch of our homeland." Chief Minister Gandapur drew on religious and historical symbolism, stating, "Martyrdom is an honor for us. We believe in the prophecy of Ghazwa-e-Hindour faith gives us strength in this struggle for justice and dignity." Notably, the cabinet urged the federal government to release PTI founder Imran Khan and involve him in national security deliberations. "National unity demands the presence of every popular leader at the decision-making table," said Barrister Saif, emphasizing Khan's longstanding stance against external aggression. The cabinet also expressed deep solidarity with the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir and affected regions along the Punjab border, offering all necessary support for relief and rehabilitation. In a scathing indictment of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies, the cabinet warned of dire consequences for regional peace. "India must not misinterpret our calls for peace as weakness. We are prepared to respond with strength and more," the official statement read. In parallel, the Balochistan Assembly also passed a unanimous resolution condemning India's actions. Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti termed the aggression "an act of war" and hailed Pakistan's air force for its robust response, claiming that Indian troops had resorted to raising white flags along the Line of Control to avoid further confrontation.
Express Tribune
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Federal govt asked not to politicise canals
Advisor to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, has called on the federal government to avoid politicizing the issue of irrigation canals and to give due consideration to the interests of smaller provinces. He said that the Chashma Right Bank Lift Canal (CRBC) project, pertaining to K-P, should not be entangled with new canal schemes in discussions at the Council of Common Interests (CCI). The CRBC (Lift cum Gravity) project was approved in 1991 by the Council of Common Interests. Following the CCI's decision, canal projects were launched in three provinces, but implementation in K-P has remained pending. Despite this, K-P has assured 35 per cent funding for the project. Saif strongly opposed any attempts to make the CRBC project controversial amidst emerging canal disputes. He criticized both the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party, stating they have historically deprived K-P of its fair share.
Express Tribune
20-04-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
K-P govt adds major transplants in Sehat Card programme
Listen to article The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has decided to include the treatment of three major transplant procedures — kidney, liver, and bone marrow — under its Sehat Card Plus programme. Additionally, the cost of cochlear implants will also be fully covered by the government. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister of K-P. Provincial Information Adviser Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said the government would now provide transplant and implant services completely free of cost, marking a major expansion of the health insurance scheme. 'This is another revolutionary step in line with the founding chairman's vision,' stated Barrister Saif, referring to the PTI's healthcare reforms. He added that services under this programme would be accessible to eligible citizens without any financial burden. The provincial health department has been instructed to implement these changes immediately. The government also plans to soon include rehabilitation services for drug-addicted individuals under the Sehat Card. In a parallel development, the K-P government approved regulations allowing the use of cannabis plants for medical, research, and industrial purposes. Earlier, K-P government launched free Outpatient Department (OPD) services under the Sehat Card Plus scheme. The initiative was officially inaugurated by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur during a ceremony held at the Chief Minister House. The OPD scheme began as a pilot project in the Mardan district, where it was initially rolled out to benefit 50,000 deserving households. The project was expected to expand in the second phase to Chitral, Malakand, and Kohat districts, eventually reaching around 120,000 deserving households in these areas, based on data from the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP).
