PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Friday accused the federal government of stalling development in the merged tribal districts by not disbursing funds under the National Finance Commission (NFC) resource-distribution formula for the current fiscal year.

He, however, said that despite financial constraints, his government was making all possible efforts to ensure that the people from merged districts don’t face issues and that development and welfare initiatives continue in the region, according to an official statement.

Chairing a cabinet meeting here, the chief minister criticised what he called “inhumane and undemocratic” handling of incarcerated former prime minister and founder PTI Imran Khan, his wife, Bushra Bibi, and his sisters by the federal and Punjab governments.

He said that the use of water cannons, containing toxic chemicals, caused health problems for peaceful political workers, parliamentarians, party leadership and the PTI founder’s sisters.

Cabinet approves bill to protect street vendors’ livelihood; Rs17bn okayed for CTD, Rs14bn for Special Branch

Mr Afridi condemned the action, calling it contrary to democratic norms.

He urged the federal government to focus on stabilising the country’s deteriorating economy instead of “pursuing political victimisation” and said key economic indicators, including economic growth, agricultural output and industrial performance, were continuously declining.

The chief minister said that he initiated field visits and directed all provincial ministers and secretaries to conduct field visits to their respective districts and departments on a fortnightly basis.

He added that such visits helped restore public trust and ensured effective checks and balances.

Mr Afridi announced that the chief secretary would give a detailed briefing on the Good Governance Roadmap, prepared by the provincial government, in the next cabinet meeting.

Briefing reporters about the cabinet’s decisions, the chief minister’s special assistant on information, Shafi Jan, said that several important decisions related to socio-economic development, law and order, and governance were taken during the meeting.

He said that the cabinet approved the proposed Ehsaas Rehribaan (Street Vendors) Livelihood Protection Act, 2025, which would soon be presented in the provincial assembly for approval.

Mr Jan said that the draft law was meant to protect the rights of street vendors by allocating designated spaces in every city where they could do business in an improved and organised environment.

He said that more than 140,000 individuals in the province were associated with street vending, and legal protection would help formalise it to create sustainable livelihood opportunities.

The aide to the CM said under the new law, street vendors would also be able to benefit from various government loan schemes for their businesses.

He said the cabinet approved establishment of a new district, Bar (Upper) Swat, with headquarters, Matta.

Mr Jansaid that a committee had been constituted to address smog in Peshawar.

He said the panel would review the situation and present recommendations for long-term solutions and that the proposed measures included introduction of electric rickshaws, plantation drives and other administrative interventions.

Regarding security, the chief minister’s aide said that the cabinet approved measures to enhance the capacity of the police’s counter-terrorism department and Special Branch to effectively counter terrorism.

A package of Rs17 billion was approved for the CTD. Of it, Rs7 billion will be released immediately. Also, Rs14 billion was approved for the Special Branch.

He added that the funds would be utilised for procurement of weapons, armoured vehicles, new recruitments and establishment of formations in districts and headquarters office in Peshawar.

Mr Jan said that the cabinet approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Promotion of Digital Payments Bill, 2025, under which 170 government services will be shifted to digital payment systems over the next two years. In the first phase, 21 services will be brought under the digital payment framework.

The cabinet also approved transfer of land to the labour department for the establishment of a 20-bed polyclinic hospital for employees of the Social Security Institute in Dera Ismail Khan. Also, a non-ADP scheme was approved for cemetery land in Mansehra.

It also granted approval to the establishment of the Chief Secretary’s Service Delivery Unit, additional cost for the upgradation and construction of the Women and Children Hospital in Haripur, and the appointment of the chief executive officer of the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation.

The meeting was attended by cabinet members, chief secretary, additional chief secretary (home), senior member board of revenue, administrative secretaries and advocate general.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2025