LOWER DIR: Panelists at a seminar held at the University of Malakand on Monday said that the provincial budget for 2025-26 would significantly impact the standard of life and development trajectory of the Malakand division.

The university’s Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (ORIC) and the Dir Think Tank, a forum of local academics and intellectuals, organised the seminar titled ‘Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Budget 2025-26 and its Implications for Malakand Division’.

Despite invitations extended to elected representatives and ministers from the region, only MPA Humayun Khan, adviser to the chief minister on prisons, participated in the event.

Panelists included UoM vice-chancellor Prof Rasheed Ahmad, MPA Humayun Khan, Prof Iftikhar Ahmad, chairman department of physics, and Prof Murad Ali, chairman department of political science.

Panellists at seminar say budget will significantly impact development trajectory in Malakand

In his remarks, VC Ahmad emphasised the need for provincial planning to reflect ground realities. “A truly effective budget must be rooted in regional needs,” he said. He welcomed the government’s decision to allocate a significant sum to higher education, disclosing that the University of Malakand would receive Rs75 million under the new budget.

MPA Humayun reiterated the government’s commitment to the uplift of Malakand division. He highlighted key infrastructure projects, including the Dir Motorway, and the Sanam Dam, which he said would transform the region’s agriculture and tourism sectors.

Prof Iftikhar Ahmad called for greater financial autonomy for universities and urged the government to invest more in higher education to foster sustainable research and innovation.

Prof Ali criticised the current budget for failing to adequately promote tourism in Malakand despite the region’s natural beauty.

PROTEST CAMPAIGN: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf lawmakers and local leaders on Monday announced a protest campaign starting from August 5 to demand the release of former prime minister and party founder Imran Khan, calling it the “final round” of the party’s movement.

Speaking at separate events, MPAs Malik Shafiullah Khan and district development advisory committee chairman Ubaidur Rehman criticised what they termed the erosion of judicial independence in Pakistan. They alleged that the judiciary had become “hostage” to external influences following the 26th Constitutional Amendment.

Speaking at a consultative meeting, Ubaidur Rehman, Shafiullah Khan, village council chairmen, and senior PTI figures expressed strong resentment over what they called the “unjust imprisonment” of Imran Khan and vowed to continue their political struggle.

MPA Shafiullah proposed that PTI lawmakers stage a sit-in at D-Chowk in Islamabad, and suggested road closures in Punjab to exert pressure if their demands were not met.

He also urged party workers to conduct a door-to-door campaign to mobilise public support ahead of the August 5 protest.

Speaking earlier at the inauguration of a road blacktopping project in Gharibabad, Shafiullah Khan reiterated his commitment to corruption-free governance.

He highlighted his development work in the constituency, noting the approval of a 31-kilometre road from Banda Gai to the District Jail Timergara. He vowed not to compromise on quality.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2025