PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved Ramazan Support Package, saying more than one million deserving families will be made digital payment of Rs12,500 each.

Briefing the media on key decisions made during the cabinet’s meeting on Wednesday, special assistant to the chief minister for information and public relations Shafi Jan said that poorest segment of the society including special persons, widows, orphans, transgender persons, victims of natural disasters and incidents of terrorism, would be prioritised for payments, while government and semi-government employees would not be eligible for the package.

He said the cabinet, which met with Chief Minister Sohail Afridi in the chair, also approved a project for the installation of Reinforced Plastic Composite manhole covers within the jurisdiction of the Water and Sanitation Services, and decided about the construction of a fruit and vegetable market in Bara area of Khyber tribal district.

Mr Jan said the cabinet approved an additional grant of Rs496 million as the Martyrs’ Package for the families of 190 martyred personnel of law-enforcement agencies, as well as financial assistance for treatment for deserving patients suffering from complex and costly diseases.

Rs12,500 to be paid to every family online

The aide to CM said the cabinet approved the reconstitution of the Quran Board and the appointment of its 19 members for a three-year term.

He said as part of measures to safeguard minority rights, the cabinet approved the appointment of members to the National Commission for Minorities, along with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Kalash Marriage Bill and the Hindu Marriage (Amendment) Bill.

Mr Jansaid that the cabinet approved the KP Women Empowerment Policy 2026–2030. The policy covers six key objectives, including participation in economic activities, employment security, access to social services and human development, active role in political and social leadership, legal protection and access to justice, inclusion in and access to digital initiatives, and measures to ensure protection during climate change impacts and natural disasters.

“Under food security measures, the cabinet approved the procurement of 175,000 metric tons of wheat at a total cost exceeding Rs19 billion. It also approved the deregulation of sugar to ensure stable and transparent supply across the country,” he said.

The special assistant said the cabinet approved a framework for providing additional financial support to the Gabral Kalam and Madain hydropower projects in order to expedite important energy initiatives.

He said an approval was also granted to the activation of 325 non-functional computer and IT labs in high and higher secondary schools, as well as provision of internet facilities to 958 schools.

“The decision aims to further strengthen information technology initiatives and artificial intelligence-linked educational programs of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government,” he said.

Mr Jansaid that the cabinet approved an increase in the cost of the tele-taleem pilot project launched in 175 schools under the Elementary and Secondary Education Foundation. Through this scheme, online education in science, mathematics, IT and English will be provided, according to him.

The aide to the CM said the cabinet approved the establishment of Kundi tehsil in Tank district besides approved cost enhancement and additional grants for ongoing police infrastructure projects in southern districts, the DHQ Teaching Hospital, Dera Ismail Khan, upgradation project of RHC Nizampur in Nowshera district to a Category-D hospital, and an ongoing project aimed at increasing the income of small dairy farmers in Hazara Division.

He said to encourage sports activities, the cabinet approved a grant of Rs1.5 million for athlete Jadran Khan to participate in an international kickboxing championship abroad, along with a Rs20 million grant to the sports department for similar activities in the future.

Mr Jan said the cabinet approved amendments to the standard operating procedures for the use of protected, reserved and communal forest areas for development schemes in order to facilitate completion of power distribution works linked to hydropower projects.

He also said a letter would be sent to the Election Commission for an extension in the schedule for delimitation for the upcoming local government elections in the province.

The meeting was attended by cabinet members, the chief secretary, additional chief secretaries, senior member board of revenue, relevant administrative secretaries and the provincial advocate general.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2026