Amid a crackdown on wheat transportation in Punjab, wheat and flour prices have skyrocketed, leaving consumers in the lurch. Photos: Express/FILE
PESHAWAR:
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, approved the procurement of 175,000 metric tons of wheat, with an estimated cost exceeding Rs19 billion.
This initiative is part of broader efforts to ensure stable supplies and mitigate price fluctuations in essential commodities. Additionally, the cabinet sanctioned the deregulation of sugar to promote a more transparent and stable supply chain nationwide.
A major highlight of the meeting was the approval of an enhanced Ramazan Relief Package for over one million deserving families. As announced by Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information, Shafi Jan, more than 10 lakh poor households will receive Rs12,500 per family directly through digital payments during the holy month. Priority will be given to the destitute, widows, orphans, persons with disabilities, transgender individuals, and those affected by natural disasters.
Government and semi-government employees will not be eligible for this assistance.
The cabinet also allocated additional funds for families of law enforcement martyrs, approving Rs496 million as an extra grant for the heirs of 190 martyrs under the Shuhada Package. Financial aid was sanctioned for indigent patients suffering from complex and expensive diseases.
In the realm of social welfare and minority rights, the cabinet approved the reconstitution of the Quran Board with the appointment of 19 members for a three-year term.
It endorsed the National Commission for Minorities members’ appointments, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Kalash Marriage Bill, and the Hindu Marriage (Amendment) Bill to safeguard minority rights.
A forward-looking step was the approval of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Women Empowerment Policy 2026-2030, which outlines six core objectives: increasing women’s participation in economic activities and employment; ensuring access to social services and human development; promoting active roles in political and social leadership; providing legal protection and justice; enabling digital inclusion; and safeguarding women during climate change and disasters.
Education received a boost with decisions to reactivate 325 non-functional computer/IT labs in higher secondary schools and provide internet connectivity to 958 schools. This aims to strengthen information technology integration and AI-related educational initiatives. The cabinet also approved cost enhancements for the Tele-Education Pilot Project in 175 schools.
