PESHAWAR: Provincial Cabinet of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa approved procurement of 225,000 metric tons of wheat from public sector growers at the rate of Rs 3,500 per 40 kilogrammes involving a financial implication of Rs. 19.68 billion.
The cabinet further approved transfer of land to the Agriculture Department for establishment of a Temperate Rice Research Station in Malakand Division.
The Cabinet also approved the introduction of digital reforms and online civil registration of vital statistics services for the public, including registration and certification of births, deaths, marriages, divorces and dissolution of marriages.
According to details, the 52nd Meeting of the Provincial Cabinet held under chairmanship of the of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi here.
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Several important measures approved in the areas of climate resilience, minority welfare, irrigation, health, education, local governance and food security.
The Cabinet approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Climate Action Board (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at introducing political oversight and strategic guidance for the Climate Action Board through the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Climate Council.
The amendment also provides for the establishment of an Emergency, Rehabilitation and Resilience Fund to support timely rehabilitation and climate-resilient reconstruction initiatives.
The Cabinet approved a special grant of Rs. 112.5 million for the Chief Minister’s Digital Inclusion Program for Minority Students.
The Cabinet also approved enhancement of the seed money for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rehabilitation of Minorities (Victims of Terrorism) Endowment Fund from Rs. 200 million to Rs 300 million.
In relaxation of the existing policy, the Cabinet approved a special compensation package of Rs. 2.5 million for each deceased person and Rs. 1 million for each injured individual affected in various incidents in Mardan, Nowshera and Haripur districts.
The Cabinet also approved a grant-in-aid amounting to Rs. 168.10 million for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Foundation. It further approved the nomination of two Marriage Registrars for the Baha’i community under Section 3 of the Special Marriage Act, 1872, and sanctioned the creation of six posts of various cadres for the Land Use and Building Control Authority.
He said the Cabinet also approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Servants Housing Foundation Financial Rules, 2026, revision of service rules and regulations of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Textbook Board, and re-engagement of additional categories of school leaders on a contract basis.
Among other important decisions, the Cabinet approved the declaration of the Institute of Mental Health Sciences (Fountain House) Peshawar as an affiliated and constituent part of MTI Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar. It also approved posting against the post of Director General, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority.
The Cabinet sanctioned an additional grant of Rs. 180 million for the upgradation of Miangul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb Kidney Hospital Swat into a specialized Kidney Transplant Center.
The proposed upgradation would enable the facility to provide advanced equipment and enhanced clinical services, ensuring local treatment facilities for patients and improving access to specialized kidney transplant care in the region.
The provincial cabinet expressed concern over the gas shortage faced by the province, noting that despite being a gas-producing province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is suffering from severe load shedding.
The Chief Minister said this has badly affected commercial activities and the CNG industry, while domestic consumers are also facing serious difficulties.
The CM said that under Article 158 of the Constitution, the province where natural resources are produced has the first right over them, but this constitutional requirement is not being implemented.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produces 400 MMCFD of gas while its requirement is 150 MMCFD, yet load shedding continues, he said.
He further stated that the province supplies an excess of 250 MMCFD gas to the federation and other provinces, but despite this, local, commercial, and domestic consumers are deprived of gas supply.
He emphasized that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is serving the country by investing in gas, electricity, minerals, and forestry sectors.
The CM warned that if the gas issue is not resolved within two days, the provincial government will stage strong protests along with all political parties.
He said the provincial government will stand with the public, business community, traders, and investors in a joint protest.
He announced that a grand jirga of tribal elders and all political parties has been convened for the next day to discuss the future course of action.
The CM KP also spoke about issues related to drone strikes and provincial rights.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
