KP Cabinet approves purchase of 225,00 MT wheat from public sector

PESHAWAR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st May, 2026) The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet, with Chief Minister Sohail Afridi in the chair, on Friday approved the purchase of 225,000 metric tons of wheat from the public sector.

The price has been fixed at 3,500 rupees per 40 kg, with a total cost of 19.68 billion rupees.

The approval was granted in the 52nd meeting of the Provincial Cabinet.

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information and Public Relations, Shafi Jan, briefed the media about the key decisions of the 52nd cabinet meeting. He said that the cabinet approved several important decisions related to environmental protection, minority welfare, irrigation, health, education, local government, and food security.

He stated that the cabinet approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Climate Action board (Amendment) Bill 2026, aimed at ensuring effective oversight and guidance of the Climate Action Board through the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Climate Council.

Under this amendment, a special fund will also be established to deal with emergencies, rehabilitation, and climate change impacts, enabling timely recovery and reconstruction in affected areas.

Shafi Jan said that the cabinet approved a special grant of 112.5 million rupees for the Chief Minister’s Digital Inclusion Program for minority students. It also approved an increase in the endowment fund for minorities affected by terrorism from 200 million to 300 million rupees.

The cabinet approved a relief package for victims of various incidents in Mardan, Nowshera, and Haripur. Under this package, families of deceased individuals will receive 2.5 million rupees, while injured persons will receive 1 million rupees each.

The cabinet also approved a grant-in-aid of 168.1 million rupees for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Foundation. Additionally, it approved the appointment of two marriage registrars for the Bahá’í community under the Special Marriage Act of 1872, and the creation of six new posts in different cadres for the Land Use and Building Control Authority.

According to Shafi Jan, the cabinet also approved the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Servants Housing Foundation Financial Rules 2026, amendments to service rules of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Textbook Board, and the reappointment of more school leaders on a contractual basis.

He further said that the cabinet approved declaring the Institute of Mental Health Sciences (Fountain House), Peshawar, as a subsidiary of MTI Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar.

It also approved the appointment of a Director General for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority.

The cabinet approved the transfer of land to the Agriculture Department for establishing a Temperate Rice Research Station in Malakand Division.

The cabinet approved an additional grant of 180 million rupees to upgrade Mian Gul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb Kidney Hospital in Mingora, Swat, into a modern kidney transplant center. This project will provide advanced medical facilities and enable patients to receive kidney transplants within their own region.

He said the cabinet also approved digital reforms to enable online registration and issuance of certificates for births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and other vital records.

The provincial cabinet expressed concern over the gas shortage faced by the province, noting that despite being a gas-producing province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is suffering from severe load shedding.

He said this has badly affected commercial activities and the CNG industry, while domestic consumers are also facing serious difficulties.

The CM said that under Article 158 of the Constitution, the province where natural resources are produced has the first right over them, but this constitutional requirement is not being implemented.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produces 400 MMCFD of gas while its requirement is 150 MMCFD, yet load shedding continues, he said.

He further stated that the province supplies an excess of 250 MMCFD gas to the federation and other provinces, but despite this, local, commercial, and domestic consumers are deprived of gas supply.

He emphasized that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is serving the country by investing in gas, electricity, minerals, and forestry sectors.

The CM warned that if the gas issue is not resolved within two days, the provincial government will stage strong protests along with all political parties.

He said the provincial government will stand with the public, business community, traders, and investors in a joint protest.

He announced that a grand jirga of tribal elders and all political parties has been convened for the next day to discuss the future course of action.

The CM KP also spoke about issues related to drone strikes and provincial rights.