KP to form judicial commission to probe May 9 incidents

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet on Thursday approved the establishment of a judicial commission to probe the May 9 incidents.

The decision was taken in the 9th meeting of the provincial cabinet, which was presided over by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

An official communique said the cabinet also approved to formally convey the Provincial Assembly’s 11th resolution to the federal government about the release of former prime minister Imran Khan and all political prisoners.

The cabinet approved the resolution to express solidarity with the Iranian people following the tragic helicopter incident resulting in the demise of Iranian president and other dignitaries.

It okayed the creation of 565 posts for the KP Police in southern districts. “This decision is in line with the policy to strengthen the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police and improve law and order in the province,” said the communique.

To ensure prompt facilitation for employment of 213 wards of Shuhada in KP Police, it said, the cabinet approved the necessary amendments to Section 32 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Act 2017, thereby, increasing their previous quota.

Necessary amendments to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zakat and Ushr Act 2011 to establish the Philanthropic Contribution Fund was also approved. As first donation, the communique said, the provincial cabinet members would contribute a one-month salary.

Similarly, necessary amendments would also be carried out to revamp the Zakat and Ushr Council, District Zakat Committees, Local Zakat Committees and formation of scrutiny committees at provincial and district level. “Through the amendments the department will be able to establish Zakat Management Information System in order to ensure effective management of Zakat and Ushr distribution,” it added.

To redress the financial needs of Cadet College Razmak in North Waziristan, Cadet College Spinkai and Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan, the provincial cabinet approved provision of additional funds amounting to Rs319.627 million.

Considering the successful transition from the old traffic system to enhanced traffic warden system in Peshawar, Swat and Abbottabad, the provincial cabinet approved its extension to districts of Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Kohat and Mardan.

The meeting also approved the “Cloud First Policy” under which cloud computing would be introduced in the province. Under this policy, cloud computing will be integrated across government departments, facilitating centralized data management and ensuring secure archival practices. This initiative aims to enhance efficiency, reduce duplications, data accessibility and overall governance effectiveness.

The provincial cabinet okayed the constitution of a cabinet committee to ensure effective utilization and disposal of spare government land in Mardan district previously purchased for various government schemes but could not be utilized effectively. The committee will submit its recommendations within 15 days.

A 100 percent increase in room rents to balance the expenditure and income of KP Houses in Islamabad and Abbottabad, as well as the Shahi Mehman Khana in Peshawar, was also approved.

Approval was also given for outsourcing the collection of tobacco cess, which will ensure increased revenue.

The cabinet also approved conducting of MDCAT 2024 by Khyber Medical University.

Furthermore, the cabinet approved withdrawal of agreement with the Infrastructure Development Authority Punjab (IDAP) which was previously signed for revamping of DHQ Hospitals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to poor progress.

The cabinet okayed the reconstitution of the Cabinet Supervisory Committee, previously formed by the caretaker government, with the purpose to look into the affairs of the outsourced hospitals in merged districts. It also accorded approval to the provincialization of Board Yakhtangi-Puran-Martung 53-km road and Kalam-Utror Gabral 18-km road.