PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has asserted that funds allocated by the federal government are not charity but rightfully owed to the province. “It’s not begging; it’s our entitlement, and we will persist in claiming it,” he stressed.
He further stated that the issue regarding payment of outstanding dues of the province has been taken up with the prime minister, adding that it was a matter of the rights of the people.
“Federation would have to provide it; we would continue to fight for the rights of the people, and no stone would be left unturned in this regard,” the chief minister said.
Gandapur arrived in Dera Ismail Khan for his inaugural visit following his appointment as the chief executive of the province. He was greeted with enthusiasm by party members and the local people.
Addressing the media during the visit, CM Ali Amin Khan Gandapur assured that as the chief minister of the entire province, it was his foremost duty to uphold law and order, as well as to prioritise the advancement and well-being of all citizens throughout the region.
“The very first responsibility of incumbent provincial government is to maintain law and order,” he remarked and said that a viable plan has also been finalised in this regard.
He announced the restoration of the Sehat Insaf Card, which had been suspended for the past eighteen months.
Additionally, measures will be implemented to enhance service delivery in government hospitals across the province. Soon, citizens will have access to comprehensive facilities in government hospitals, obviating the need for private healthcare services.
He said that since the PTI-elected government at the centre was ousted through a “conspiracy”, the country’s economic conditions have steadily worsened. Consequently, the soaring prices of essential commodities have impacted the livelihoods of ordinary citizens nationwide.
Keeping in view the prevailing economic situation and its adverse impacts on the life of the general public, the incumbent provincial government, despite the numerous challenges, has decided to give relief to the people, he said.
He announced that 8,50,000 deserving households would be provided with Ramazan packages in a dignified manner; people would get their right at their doorstep and would not be humiliated.
He affirmed that shelter homes have been operationalized, providing comprehensive facilities to those in need.
The chief minister further said that fostering economic self-sufficiency was a paramount goal of his administration. Concrete measures will be undertaken to guarantee food security within the province.
Furthermore, he outlined plans to offer self-employment opportunities to youth and women through digital and skills training tailored to contemporary market demands.
Moreover, initiatives will be implemented to bolster the province’s revenue streams, alongside revolutionary measures aimed at positioning Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a model province. –Agencies