Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi chaired the final cabinet meeting for the Financial Year 2025–26, commending all involved for preparing a people-centric budget. He reaffirmed that public welfare and service delivery remain the government's foremost priorities.
Budget Approval Marks Beginning of Responsibilities
The Chief Minister emphasized that the budget has been formulated with due consideration to the needs and aspirations of the people and expressed confidence it would contribute meaningfully to improving lives across the province. He directed all departments to focus on effective implementation during the next three months to translate budget benefits into tangible public relief. He underscored that true government performance lies in public satisfaction rather than presentations or reports.
Over 300 mine workers have been unpaid for six months in Upper Orakzai, highlighting ongoing challenges.
Fee Waiver for Martyrs' Legal Heirs
Minister for Information Shafi Jan briefed the media on cabinet decisions. The cabinet approved an amendment to Schedule-IV of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Letters of Administration and Succession Certificates Rules, 2021, granting a complete waiver of all prescribed fees for obtaining these certificates by legal heirs of martyrs. The exemption applies to families of martyrs of the Armed Forces, Police, Paramilitary Forces, civil servants who embraced martyrdom while performing official duties, and civilians martyred in armed conflict or terrorist incidents.
Land Transfer for NADRA Office
The cabinet approved the transfer of two kanals of state land at Mouza Ratta Kulachi, D I Khan, in favour of NADRA, subject to payment of Rs. 84 million, taxes, mutation charges, and codal formalities, for construction of a Regional NADRA Office.
Debt Management Committee and Digital Governance Unit
The cabinet approved constitution of the Debt Management Committee under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Fiscal Responsibility and Debt Management Act, 2022, to formulate policies for effective functioning of the Debt Management Unit. It also approved establishment of the Digital Governance Enablement Unit (Digital-GEU) in the Finance Department to sustain and enhance digital workspaces across government departments.
$200 Million PRID Programme Approved
The cabinet approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Resources for Inclusive Development (PRID) Programme with a financing envelope of USD 200 million. The programme will introduce reforms in revenue mobilization, improve public expenditure efficiency, and strengthen fiscal and service delivery data ecosystem.
Allocation for NFC Legal Case
The cabinet approved allocation of Rs30 million for engaging a law firm or private legal counsel to pursue the province's case relating to the National Finance Commission (NFC) before the constitutional forum. The Finance Department was authorized to independently select and engage legal counsel to ensure timely action.
Extension of Educational Ordinance and Hospital Funding
The cabinet approved extension of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Educational and Training Institutions Ordinance, 1971, to the newly established Model School Battagram. It also approved Rs151.734 million for the transitional period from July 1 to December 31, 2026, and a budget ceiling of Rs174.495 million from January 1 to June 30, 2027, for Government General Hospital Nishtarabad, Peshawar, to ensure uninterrupted functioning.
Engagement of Constitutional Counsel for Tobacco Excise Case
The cabinet approved engagement of a senior constitutional counsel to ensure effective representation in the pending Civil Petition for Leave to Appeal (CPLA) before the Supreme Court concerning Federal Excise Duty on unmanufactured tobacco. It directed the Law, Excise, Agriculture, and Finance Departments to jointly examine alternative levy mechanisms.
Highway Authority Budget and Compensation for TDPs
The cabinet approved the Pakhtunkhwa Highway Authority Budget Estimates for FY 2025-26. It also approved release of additional funds amounting to Rs5,499.997 million to provide compensation to 6,900 additional GRC-verified Temporarily Displaced Persons (TDP) families from Tirah, covering monthly food support allowance.
