PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Khan Afridi, while addressing the Young Leaders Convention organised by the Young Leaders Parliament, announced that the amount allocated for the interest-free loan scheme for youth will increase from Rs 3 billion to Rs 5 billion.
Additionally, the Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs 2 million for the Young Parliament. He emphasised that a nation that lacks self-reliance cannot progress, noting that a prime minister who cannot represent a self-reliant nation is ineffective. He criticised the current Prime Minister for travelling abroad and paying respects to the leader of a foreign country.
Afridi stated that a great person is not defined by their degrees or wealth, but by their mindset. He pointed out that nations advance only when faced with challenges. He mentioned that although the administrative merger of tribal districts was completed in 2018, the financial merger has yet to occur, which he described as a violation of the constitution. He highlighted that while they are denied their rights, there has been significant corruption involving Rs 5,300 billion at the federal level, with corrupt leaders using stolen money to buy properties abroad.
He noted that while there is much discussion about the Rs 4 billion allocated to the thirteen victims, there is silence regarding the billions lost to corruption. Afridi stressed the need for accountability, stating that there will be no exceptions for corrupt individuals. He voiced concern over a civil martial law effectively being imposed in Punjab, resulting in a loss of political freedom. He claimed that the rulers of Punjab represent a mindset born of dictatorship.
According to Afridi, weapons are being removed from the security personnel of their leadership, and vehicle registration and chassis numbers are being manipulated. He condemned the unjust imprisonment of senior politicians and characterised this as revenge politics. He also mentioned that Imran Khan’s wife, a non-political figure, was similarly imprisoned unjustly. He recounted a disturbing incident where poisonous water was poured on Imran Khan’s sisters outside the Adiala Jail at night.
Chief Minister Afridi affirmed that honour, dishonour, life, and death are in the hands of Allah, and that strong faith can protect one from harm. He pointed out that the federal government currently owes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rs 4,758 billion and stressed that a comprehensive policy is essential for the permanent elimination of terrorism. Without such a policy, he claimed, terrorism cannot be eradicated.
The Chief Minister urged the youth to raise their voices on these issues at every forum. He stated that despite limited resources, they are governing for the third time based on performance. He insisted that if the outstanding debts are recovered, public service and performance in the province will significantly improve. He called for support from the public and encouraged them to resist any decisions that go against the province’s interests.
“It is better to raise your voice as a living nation than to hold funerals,” he concluded, asserting that they will implement policies that benefit every segment of the province.
