PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa caretaker Chief Minister Justice retired Syed Arshad Hussain Shah on Wednesday inaugurated 25KV (kilovolt) solar system at the Peshawar Press Club.

A statement issued here said the newly-installed solar plant costing Rs6.4 million will save up to Rs2 million annually in terms of electricity bills.

Caretaker provincial minister for information Barrister Feroz Jamal Shah Kakakhel, chief secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, secretary information Abdul Jabbar Shah and director general information Mohammad Imran were also present.

Addressing a ceremony on the occasion, Justice Shah said the provincial government would take multiple initiatives under its ‘Prosperous Pakhtunkhwa Programme’ for the wellbeing of people. “We have to improve our governance system keeping in view the principles and requirements of public service delivery so as to effectively resolve the issues facing the public,” he said.

Mr Shah said his government had already launched a comprehensive drive to resolve public issues, including drug trafficking, street crimes, adulteration, hording, profiteering, traffic congestion, encroachments and revenue related issues.

He said the government would need the cooperation and guidance of media to root out the menace of drugs as drug peddlers had emerged as the most dangerous enemy of young generation. He said drug peddlers had made even educational institutions their stronghold for nefarious purpose.

Mr Shah said training programmes would be arranged for farmers through agriculture and livestock departments in order to have better production.

“We have provided public service delivery programmes to all ministries and departments, the benefits of which will reach the people very soon,” he said.

Besides, the chief minister said about 500,000 youth would be sent abroad in the next year for employment. He said they would be imparted professional and technical skills, thereby enabling them to get better jobs.

He said the government had also devised a strategy to make health and education sectors compatible with the modern-era requirements.

Mr Shah termed journalism as a great mission and said work of a journalist was very difficult as he performed his professional duties round the clock and raised the voice of truth putting his life at risk.

He also appreciated the professional role of journalist community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the war against terrorism.

Mr Shah also announced Rs30 million for the press club.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2023