ABBOTTABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information, Shafi Jan said that concerns of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) are not getting adequate media coverage.

He was addressing the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected body of Abbottabad Press Club here on Monday. He administered oath to office-bearers of the press club and announced a series of welfare measures for journalists, including interest-free loans, funding for Abbottabad Media Colony and provision of laptops to media persons.

The minister said that journalists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa enjoyed freedom and reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to issuing no objection certificates (NOCs) for public gatherings in the spirit of political tolerance.

He urged the federal government to release the population data of all four provinces to ensure transparency in the distribution of resources under National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.

Criticising the federal government, Shafi Jan alleged that rising fuel prices and economic policies had increased hardships of people. He claimed that his party had come into power through public mandate.

Highlighting the provincial government’s support for journalists, he said that substantial funds had been allocated under Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the purpose. He said that interest-free loans would be provided to journalists for up to 10 years and the first instalment of funds for Abbottabad Media Colony would be released in August.

The minister announced plans to establish a single district-level press club by replacing tehsil-level press clubs and said that laptops would also be provided to press club members.

GRANT: The minister for information has announced Rs10 million grant for Haripur Press Club during his visit, reaffirming the provincial government’s commitment to the welfare of journalists.

Speaking to media, he said that government was working on several initiatives for journalists, including access to loans, residential plots, a pension scheme and financial assistance for those facing serious illnesses. He also urged journalists to set aside differences and promote unity.

The minister said that social media had become a powerful platform for communication. However, he alleged that some fake social media pages and web channels were spreading baseless propaganda.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2026