PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Adviser on Information and Public Relations Samar Haroon Bilour has announced that she will hold weekly media briefings to inform the public about the provincial government’s performance, while outlining measures concerning law and order, police welfare, healthcare, education and municipal services.
Addressing a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, Bilour said the public was aware of the circumstances the province had experienced over the past month, adding that the prevailing security situation had necessitated the government’s actions.
She acknowledged the sacrifices of the journalist community and said the country’s sovereignty, integrity and defence would not be compromised.
Referring to the challenges faced by security personnel, she said their hardships and sacrifices deserved recognition and that their concerns should be raised.
Bilour said the government had entered a system where, in her words, propaganda had dominated, stressing the need to replace misinformation with truth and practical measures. She also called for policies that took the social structure and sensitivities of Pashtun society into account.
Criticism of PTI and Social Media Activities
Commenting on recent political developments, Bilour alleged that a long march had been turned into a “Gola March” and that provocative statements had been circulated.
She claimed that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had become largely confined to social media and alleged that some of its social media pages were being operated from abroad.
The adviser did not provide supporting evidence for these allegations during the remarks cited in the report.
Weekly Performance Updates and Security Measures
Bilour announced that she would appear before the media every week to present a report on the government’s performance and activities during the preceding seven days.
She said an Apex Committee meeting had been convened on the first day of governor’s rule, identifying security as a major priority of the administration.
According to Bilour, the federal government had provided 10 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police.
She further stated that more than 55 plots had been allotted to the families of police martyrs and that police salaries and compensation packages for the families of martyrs had been substantially increased.
She added that efforts had been made to bring police constables’ salaries in line with those offered in other provinces.
Municipal Services and Anti-Encroachment Operations
The adviser said steps had been taken to improve the functioning of the Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP), which she alleged had previously been affected by corruption.
She claimed that security and sanitation arrangements across Peshawar had been restored.
Bilour also said a major operation against encroachments had been launched on the instructions of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor.
Police Seize 960 Kilograms of Narcotics
Discussing the fight against drug trafficking, Bilour said narcotics smuggling had taken place across the province during the previous year.
She stated that police had seized 960 kilograms of narcotics so far this year, highlighting enforcement efforts against the drug trade.
She also pledged to work towards eliminating terrorism, particularly in underdeveloped and remote areas of the province.
Prime Minister Expected to Announce Development Projects
Bilour said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would visit Peshawar and make major announcements regarding development initiatives.
She added that the provincial government intended to establish hospitals modelled on those developed in Punjab.
Referring to educational shortcomings in the merged tribal districts, she said girls from Miranshah had contacted her to complain that there was not even a single school in their area.
The adviser indicated that improving educational facilities in underserved areas would require attention alongside other development priorities.
Bilour’s press conference covered security, police welfare, municipal services, healthcare, education and the government’s communication strategy. She reiterated her commitment to providing weekly updates to the media on the administration’s performance.
