Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan attended the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected cabinet of Mardan Press Club as chief guest on Tuesday. Provincial Minister for Revenue and Estate Tariq Mahmood Aryani was also present on the occasion. Shafi Jan administered the oath to the newly elected cabinet members, including President Lutfullah Lutf, General Secretary Hidayat-ur-Rehman, and other office bearers.
Grant and Development Announcements
Addressing the ceremony, Shafi Jan announced a special grant of Rs5 million for Mardan Press Club. He stated that steps would be taken for the rehabilitation of the Press Club building and that the second phase of the Media Society project in Mardan would also be considered. The minister emphasized that the provincial government is addressing issues of journalists and press clubs on a priority basis.
He further revealed that the journalists' endowment fund has been increased to Rs500 million in the provincial budget, and an interest-free loan scheme of up to Rs5 million is being introduced for journalists. Additionally, an internship programme for journalists' children is being launched with allocated budgetary funds.
Praise for Journalists and Political Remarks
Shafi Jan commended journalists for their exemplary courage and professionalism during difficult circumstances, particularly in the fight against terrorism, calling it highly commendable. He said that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa gave a mandate to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in the 8 February elections and defended their mandate. He added that Mardan has fully supported PTI and its founding chairman Imran Khan.
The minister stated that the provincial government has allocated the highest funds for health and education sectors and is ready to compete with any province in terms of governance and performance. Referring to the federal government, he claimed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa dues amounting to trillions of rupees are pending with the federation, and that funds to the federal government will only be released on directives of Imran Khan.
Criticism of Other Provinces
Criticising the Punjab government, Shafi Jan said that conditions in South Punjab are concerning and Lahore cannot represent the entire province. He also alleged corruption in the “Suthra Punjab” project, claiming irregularities worth billions in Faisalabad. Regarding the Sindh government, he remarked that people there are deprived of clean drinking water and public issues remain unresolved.
He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s governance is exemplary and Chief Minister Suhail Afridi is emerging as a national-level leader. He added that PTI received votes for the release of Imran Khan and the party will act upon every call given by its leadership. He further alleged that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are being kept in solitary confinement and are not being provided medical facilities, which he termed a violation of jail manual and laws.
Provincial Minister's Remarks
Provincial Minister for Revenue Tariq Mahmood Aryani, in his address, thanked Shafi Jan for visiting Mardan and assured full cooperation with the Press Club.
