New University for Merged Districts and 26-Month Paid Nursing Internships approved

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) cabinet on Friday approved the establishment of a modern university in the province’s merged districts, ARY News reported.

The cabinet meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.

The session resulted in several key decisions across the education, religious affairs, health, livestock, and administration sectors.

In a move to streamline higher education, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government decided to create essential support staff vacancies while abolishing unnecessary positions in government colleges.

Additionally, the meeting approved new guidelines for the posting and transfer of college faculty members across the province.

The cabinet also granted approval for amendments to laws pertaining to Auqaf and religious affairs.

Addressing the economic impact of regional instability, the KP government has decided to reduce fuel expenditures for a two-month period.

This measure comes in response to the fuel crisis triggered by the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

Furthermore, the cabinet approved a 26-month paid internship program for nursing graduates in teaching hospitals. This initiative aims to address the shortage of skilled nursing staff in government healthcare facilities.

For the livestock sector, the cabinet approved a framework for the procurement of essential medicines and vaccines.

Addressing the cabinet, the KP Chief Minister stated that a consistent and durable policy is inevitable, rather than relying on short-term or temporary measures.

Sohail Afridi remarked that the “imposed rulers” are constantly burdening the masses, adding that they lack both the policy and the solutions needed to recover from the current crisis.

He noted that increasing imports and decreasing exports are resulting in a widening trade deficit.

He further stated that the hike in dollar rates will lead to a surge in inflation, while expensive fuel will drive up electricity costs and increase unemployment.

He urged the federal government to immediately present a clear and comprehensive economic policy, adding that the provincial government would soon form its own crisis management strategy.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the provincial government would introduce more relief measures shortly to ease the inflationary burden on the public, vowing that the KP government will not allow the people to be crushed by the rising cost of living.