PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Tuesday said he was committed to working for the welfare and rights of religious minorities.

Talking to Chairman of the One-Man Commission Dr Shoaib Suddle in Islamabad, the governor said that the Pakistan Peoples Party had always prioritised the protection and well-being of minorities.

He said that all minorities in the country enjoyed constitutional religious and personal freedoms, according to a news release issued here.

Mr Kundi acknowledged the contributions of minorities, including the Christian community, to the nation’s interests and promised full cooperation to the One-Man Commission for the protection and welfare of minorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The meeting touched upon the One-Man Commissions report on the Peshawar church bombing and the relief package for the victims.

Other topics of discussion included the five percent quota for minorities and measures to curb hateful content on social media.

Dr Suddle briefed the governor on the commission’s progress, saying 20,000 appointments have been made to posts fixed for minorities in government departments.

He also said competitive exams were conducted for 200 special positions allocated for minorities.

The commission chairman also revealed the recovery of land worth Rs42 million from the Evacuee Trust Property Board, which was handed over to the Department of Auqaf.

He pointed out that none of the commission’s dealing with minority affairs in Pakistan are registered with the United Nations, which limits their voting rights.

Dr Suddle emphasised the need for initiatives aimed at enhancing the skill sets of minority communities across the country, including in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Meanwhile, Amjad Ali Khan, Member of the National Highways (North Zone) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, called on the governor and briefed him on key projects, including the Peshawar-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway, Chakdara-Chitral Road, Swat Expressway, Wakhan Corridor, and the DI Khan-Kashmore Road.

He also sought the governor’s assistance in addressing funding requirements and resolving federal-level issues linked to the projects.

Mr Kundi emphasised the need for efficient land transport facilities to boost tourism and improve mobility in the province.

He directed the NHA official to propose new road infrastructure projects for inclusion in the Public Sector Development Programme.

The governor stressed the urgency of completing the reconstruction of the Peshawar-D.I. Khan Indus Highway, a critical project for the region.

He highlighted the importance of establishing economic zones along key provincial highways to foster economic growth, particularly in high-population areas.

The governor said that upgrading of infrastructure in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was essential for eliminating backwardness, combating terrorism, and promoting trade and economic activities.

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2025