KP cabinet approves plan to resolve Kurram dispute

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet here on Monday approved an action plan to restore durable peace and stability in the conflict-hit Kurram tribal district.

An official handout said that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur chaired the 18th meeting of the cabinet which focused on issues pertaining to Kurram.The cabinet members, chief secretary, additional chief secretaries, and administrative secretaries attended the meeting.

The officials briefed the meeting on the prevailing situation in Kurram, where about 133 precious lives were lost and about 177 people injured in the recent clashes.The meeting was informed that a grand jirga had been constituted to deescalate the volatile situation, ensure peace and resolve the crisis.

The jirga comprising local elders will remain in the area until peace is restored, the cabinet meeting was informed. The handout said that the provincial government underscored the importance of community involvement, calling on local elders to cooperate in identifying and isolating elements inciting sectarian hatred and unrest.

The cabinet decided to declare individuals spreading hatred as terrorists and take strict legal action against them. Such elements will be included in Schedule IV under the law.Bunkers will be demolished, and heavy weapons confiscated.

“The local communities must stand united against divisive elements that threaten our peace and stability,” the chief minister said. He said the government remained resolute in its commitment to restoring harmony in the region.It was decided that as many as 65 checkpoints would be established along key locations, particularly on the Kurram Highway, to ensure security.

A formal request was sent to the federal government for the deployment of FC platoons to strengthen security.The cabinet approved a relief package for the victims of violence in Kurram. Financial assistance will be provided to the families of the martyrs and injured individuals, while compensation will be extended for properties damaged.

A survey to assess the extent of damage was underway, and Rs380 million had been released for this purpose.Additional funds will be provided if needed, the cabinet decided.All-out efforts are being made to ensure the immediate and dignified return of all those families who have been displaced from homes due to the conflict.

Similarly, the cabinet decided to provide bulletproof and bombproof vehicles and other necessary equipment to the civil administration, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and law-enforcement agencies in the merged districts, southern districts and Malakand to enhance their capacity to counter violent conflicts. The cabinet directed the relevant officials to ensure the immediate supply of medicines via helicopter.

It constituted a monitoring committee, comprising the provincial law minister, adviser to CM for Information and relevant parliamentarians to oversee the implementation of the action plan.

This committee will ensure that all measures, from financial assistance to peacebuilding efforts, are being executed effectively and transparently.The cabinet approved a compensation package for those who lost lives in the 26th November D-Chowk incident under which Rs10 Million each will be provided to the bereaved families. Similarly, Rs1 million will be provided to those seriously injured.

The cabinet approved a compensation package of Rs187.00 million to the families of Shuhada of security forces belonging to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who embraced martyrdom during the terrorism related incidents.

This package will be provided as a token of acknowledgement to the family of the martyred officer(s) and soldier(s). The cabinet approved the creation of 10 posts of judges for Peshawar High Court, Peshawar.

It may be mentioned here that the president has increased the number of judges of the Peshawar High Court from 20 to 30. Accordingly, the PHC requested for creation of 10 posts of additional Judges.

The cabinet approved the annual report 2023 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission. It approved recommendations of the commission with respect to producing quality human resources in the province including formulation of strategy for relaxing the criteria for recruitment under minority quota.

The chief minister and directed the Finance Department to resolve the financial needs of the commission. It approved the placement of annual report of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Authority for the Financial Year 2022-23 before the Provincial Assembly.

The cabinet okayed the appointment of Information Commissioners, Social & Judicial, under the Right to Information Commission Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The approved provision of additional funds (supplementary grant) for Purchase/installation of security equipment, jammers, communication system & CCTV cameras in the prisons of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

It granted the status of “Authorize Entity” to the prison woodworking industries for the direct sale of furniture/wood items to all government entities.The cabinet approved the absorption of 106 Khasadars of District Mohmand in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police.

The cabinet approved the constitution of KP Sugarcane and Sugar Beet Control Board for the year 2024-25.It approved the names of the members of the Board of Directors of WSSC Abbottabad and Kohat.

The cabinet gave its approval for the removal of members of the Search and Nomination Council Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Foundation. The cabinet go ahead to the exemption to the extent of 1 per cent in respect of Infrastructure Development Cess under section 6 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Infrastructure Development Cess Act, 2022.

The cabinet approved the proposed amendments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Biosphere Reserve and Conservancy Rules 2022.It authorized that Judicial Magistrate, First Class in each district, to try offences under section 13 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rivers Protection Ordinance 2002 with in their respective area of jurisdiction.

The cabinet approved budget estimates for the year 2024-25 and revised budget estimates for the year 2023-24 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Housing Authority. It also approved regularization of excess expenditures for the Financial Year 2023-24 under Article 124 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

The cabinet okayed the taking over of the on-going Pak-PWD, PSDP projects by the provincial government besides according to approval for the grant in aid for Urban Area Development Authority Haripur.

It approved an annual grant in aid for Frontier Foundation during the current financial year. Similarly, the cabinet also approved the enhancement of the grant in aid from Rs47 million to Rs80 million against budget estimates of the Information Department for the financial year 2024-25.

The cabinet approved, honourarium for the members of the Mutahida Ulema Board.It approved the relaxation of ban on the purchase of vehicles for pick and drop of the enrolled special students in the special education institutions. The cabinet approved extending of agreement with PAF for a period of three years for operation and maintenance of 2 Helicopters of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The cabinet approved closure of transit point for repatriation of illegal foreigners.

The cabinet constituted a high-level technical committee to analyze the laboratory test results for the disposal of PASSCO-imported wheat. It also directed to conduct full-scale inquiry into the matter of purchasing such substandard wheat. For the appropriate representation in the board of Directors Bank of Khyber the cabinet approved amendments in the Bank of Khyber Act, 1991.

It approved the special compensation of the legal heirs of the Late Sardar Soran Singh, who was special assistant to the chief minister. The cabinet approved unfreezing ADP scheme requiring upgradation of 70 primary schools to the middle level.