Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that a development and security package worth 160 billion rupees has been finalized for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, emphasizing that peace and security in the province remain a top priority for the government.

According to Radio Pakistan, during a Federal Cabinet meeting in Islamabad, the Prime Minister expressed his firm commitment to eradicating terrorism from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through collaboration among the armed forces, the newly established provincial setup, and the Federal Government. He noted that Pakistan continues its diplomatic efforts to promote peace in the region, citing recent diplomatic engagements in Tehran aimed at reducing regional tensions and fostering cooperation.

In addressing the impact of regional tensions on fuel prices, Prime Minister Sharif highlighted measures taken to prevent a 15-rupee per litre increase in petrol prices by engaging refineries to share their windfall profits. He commended the Ministry of Petroleum’s efforts and confirmed that the fuel subsidy scheme, benefiting 15 million people with an expenditure of 28 billion rupees, will continue until at least the end of next month.

The Prime Minister also announced the end of the LPG mafia era with a new mechanism to ensure transparency in supply and distribution. Despite challenges to shipping routes, he assured that efforts would be made to secure the supply of LNG, LPG, and other energy sources during the winter, while attempting to mitigate the impact of higher energy prices.

During the meeting, the Federal Cabinet approved the transfer of administrative powers from the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the Governor during the emergency period, with a monthly review report to be submitted to the Cabinet. The Cabinet expressed confidence that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Advisory Council, led by the Governor, would strive for the welfare and prosperity of the province’s residents and the restoration of law and order.

Additionally, the Cabinet ratified the Defence Cooperation Agreement with Kuwait, enhancing bilateral defense relations, and approved new currency note designs with advanced security features. A ten-rupee coin will also be introduced to replace the existing banknote.