PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Wednesday said a free, responsible and independent press was the cornerstone of a democratic society, so his government was committed to promoting media freedom while ensuring a safe and enabling environment for journalists.
During a meeting with a delegation comprising cabinet and governing body of Peshawar Press Club, led by its president, M Riaz, the chief minister emphasised that while his government remained committed to supporting sustainability of media institutions, it was equally determined to safeguard rights, welfare and working conditions of media professionals.
He said that a consultative mechanism should be developed in collaboration with elected leadership of the press club and media organisations to formulate a practical roadmap for improving the journalists’ welfare, according to an official statement issued by his office.
Mr Afridi also asked relevant authorities to provide the journalist community with a detailed briefing on the progress of the Media Enclave in the New Peshawar Valley City to keep them fully informed of developments.
Says govt to ensure media freedom, safe environment for journalists
He said that all subsequent stages should proceed strictly in accordance with the applicable legal and administrative requirements once all formalities were completed.
The chief minister agreed in principle to the proposal for establishing a dedicated Endowment Fund for journalists affiliated with the Peshawar Press Club and said that the groundbreaking ceremony for a modern press club building would be held at the earliest.
He said that his government undertook landmark initiatives to promote journalism and improve welfare of media professionals.
Mr Afridi said that KP’s budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 had Rs1 billion for interest-free loans to support the professional development of working journalists, Rs500 million for the establishment of media colonies across the province, including feasibility studies and design, Rs150 million for the construction of a modern Peshawar Press Club building, Rs300 million for the rehabilitation of district press clubs and Rs100 million to promote innovation and modernisation in the information sector.
He added that the value of the KP Journalists’ Welfare Endowment Fund had been enhanced from Rs200 million to Rs500 million, alongside the continued provision of grants to registered press clubs across the province.
The chief minister directed authorities to ensure that the clearance of outstanding government advertisement payments to media organisations is linked to the payment of journalists’ outstanding dues and compliance with the legally prescribed minimum wage.
The delegates appreciated the chief minister for including media sector development projects in the forthcoming Annual Development Programme (ADP), the announcement of the reconstruction of the Peshawar Press Club building and the provision of grants for the press club.
Mr Riaz thanked the chief minister for the provincial government’s measures for the welfare of journalists across the province, particularly those based in Peshawar.
General secretary of the press club Alamgir Khan invited the chief minister to visit the Peshawar Press Club and perform the groundbreaking ceremony for its new building.
The meeting was attended by information minister Shafi Jan, information and public relations secretary Matiullah Khan, vice president of the Peshawar Press Club Ziaul Haq, joint secretary Gulzar Ahmad, finance secretary Irshad Ali and governing body members Shamim Shahid, Nasir Hussain, Saiful Islam, Ibrahim Khan, Shakeel Ahmad, Irfan Musazai, Shehzada Fahad and Shah Faisal.
Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2026