Islamabad, In a significant move, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Justice (R) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah, has made key decisions to propel development in education, land allocation for federal institutions, and welfare funds for prisoners and prison employees.

According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the cabinet meeting, which was held at the Civil Secretariat in Peshawar, saw the participation of caretaker cabinet members, the chief secretary, additional chief secretary interior, and other administrative secretaries. The meeting began with a tribute to the late Muhammad Azam Khan, a former Caretaker Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Among the significant decisions made, the cabinet approved the extension of the monthly stipend program for female students from classes VI to XII in affected districts until 2025. The program aims to award scholarships to a growing number of female students each year, with an estimated total cost of 940.5 million rupees. The payment of these scholarships will be conditional on the students’ performance and examination results, requiring a minimum of 70% attendance.

In another major decision, the cabinet agreed to allocate 2 kanals of land within the Tehsil Building premises of Jamrud, Khyber District, to a Federal Institution for constructing offices and residential buildings. This move is aimed at facilitating federal government institutions in the region.

Additionally, the cabinet approved the establishment of a welfare fund for prisoners and prison employees, with rules established for its operation. Notably, 30% of the income from products made in jails will be allocated to inmates to teach them skills and provide financial prosperity, enabling them to start businesses after release. The fund will be self-financed by prisoners and prison employees, with no cost to the government. An executive committee led by the interior secretary will oversee the fund, convening meetings biannually.

Lastly, the cabinet approved representatives from Peshawar, Mardan, and DI Khan districts to represent farmers on the Cane and Sugar Beet Control Board for the current year.

These initiatives reflect the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cabinet’s commitment to fostering development in various sectors, with a focus on education, infrastructure, and social welfare.