PESHAWAR: Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Muhammad Sohail Afridi has stated that the Supreme Court had issued directions regarding the treatment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, requiring that he be treated at Shifa International Hospital in the presence of his sister and personal doctors. However, he regretted that the Federal Government had failed to implement the court’s order.
He said this while addressing the Provincial Cabinet, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi maintained that instead of complying with the court’s directions, the Federal Government had resorted to a “fraudulent” compliance, with Imran Khan being taken to the hospital at night with the lights switched off.
He stated that Imran Khan’s health had deteriorated while in the custody and oversight of the Federal Government. He said that, at the time of his arrest, Imran Khan was in good health and “super fit”, but had subsequently been kept in isolation for eight to nine months. During this period, his family members, personal doctors, lawyers and friends were unable to meet him.
CM Afridi said that such treatment had never been witnessed in Pakistan’s history and made it clear that Imran Khan’s current health issues are due to these circumstances. He said the situation is a matter of serious concern for the Provincial Government. Muhammad Sohail Afridi said that the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is deeply concerned about Imran Khan’s health and called upon the courts to ensure full and faithful implementation of the orders issued in his regard.
He further stated that disregarding judicial orders amounted to disrespect for the judiciary and the judges. “The entire nation is looking towards the courts,” he said, adding that if courts are unable to secure implementation of their own orders, it raised a fundamental question about the efficacy of the judicial process.
He stressed that the courts must ensure justice and the effective enforcement of their orders. The Chief Minister also announced that the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was introducing an electric-bike scheme for women across the province. Under the initiative, female students attending colleges and universities, as well as working women, would be provided electric bikes by the provincial government.
He said that the first phase of the scheme would be launched shortly and that the allocation of electric bikes would be made strictly on merit. The Chief Minister further announced that the provincial government would subsequently introduce an electric-rickshaw scheme. He said the transition towards electric mobility would contribute to a cleaner and greener environment in the province.
The Chief Minister stated that directions had already been issued to accelerate work on the electric-bus scheme for divisional headquarters. He directed all relevant departments to expedite implementation of schemes included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP), particularly projects expected to deliver tangible benefits to the people of the province. He emphasised that timely completion of public-interest projects remained a key priority of the provincial government. Muhammad Sohail Afridi called for an outcome-oriented approach to development implementation, stating that bureaucratic constraints and political inertia must not impede delivery.
He directed departments to adopt innovative and out-of-the-box approaches where required and ensure effective execution of development projects for the maximum benefit of the people. The Chief Minister appreciated the performance of the Planning and Development Department and directed that implementation of development projects be accelerated further. He expressed confidence that the current financial year would be a year of peace, development and prosperity for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Provincial Cabinet of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in its 57th meeting, approved a broad range of administrative, financial, and developmental decisions spanning multiple sectors, said Minister for Information, Science & Technology, Shafi Jan, while briefing on the outcomes of the meeting.
He said the Cabinet approved the establishment of a new Tehsil in Charsadda district to be named “Umarzai.” The Minister said the Cabinet approved a Transport Monetization Policy for Judicial Officers and gave approval for forwarding Joint Resolution No. 240 of the Provincial Assembly to the Federal Government. The Annual Report of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Authority for Financial Year 2024–25 was also presented and approved during the meeting.
Regarding the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Flood Resilience Project, the Cabinet permitted the relevant department to approach the World Bank (IDA) for financing in accordance with Islamic banking principles. Additionally, the Cabinet approved a sum of Rs. 1 billion for the rehabilitation of flood-affected infrastructure, including Rs. 500 million earmarked specifically for districts of Chitral.
The Minister further stated that the Cabinet allowed the Annual Report 2025 of the Election Commission of Pakistan to be laid before the Provincial Assembly. Approval was also granted for the Local Government and Rural Development Department to convey the provincial government’s consent to federal government for signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in the area of local development.
The Cabinet approved appointments to two vacant posts of Commissioner in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Public Services Commission, along with certain amendments to the West Pakistan Registration Rules, 1929. Shafi Jan added that the Cabinet approved the creation of 46 contract-basis posts for service delivery centers in Lakki Marwat, Tank, Buner, Karak, Battagram, Charsadda, and Abbottabad. A grant of Rs. 5 million was also approved for the District Bar Association, Khyber.
In the health sector, the Cabinet approved the rationalization and redeployment of full body scanners across various hospitals. It also allowed the transfer of previously approved financial assistance to the personal bank accounts of three applicants, in place of hospital accounts, subject to verification, and approved the provision of funds for eye care equipment at the District Headquarters Hospital, MTI Bannu. The Minister said the Cabinet approved bridge financing for the remaining construction work of the Khyber Institute of Child Health (KICH).
According to the Information Minister, the Cabinet approved a working procedure allowing the Forest Department to dispose of the remaining balance of timber harvested under the now-defunct Dry Standing and Wind Fallen Trees Policy in a transparent manner.
The Cabinet approved the nomination of two educationist members to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Private Schools Regulatory Authority. It also approved the provision of additional funds to cover enhanced customs duties, taxes, and import charges for the procurement of 54 additional buses for the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, as well as funding for three sporting disciplines – Archery, Judo, and Volleyball for the 14th South Asian Games to be held in Peshawar.
