Shafi Jan administers oath to Abbottabad Press Club body, announces journalists' welfare initiatives

ABBOTTABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Jul, 2026) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information, Shafi Jan on Monday administered the oath to the newly elected body of the Abbottabad Press Club and announced a series of welfare measures for journalists, including interest-free loans, funding for the Abbottabad Media Colony, and the provision of laptops.

Addressing the oath-taking ceremony, the minister said journalists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa enjoyed freedom and reaffirmed the provincial government's commitment to issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for public gatherings in the spirit of political tolerance.

He urged the Federal government to release the population data of all four provinces to ensure transparency in the distribution of resources under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.

Criticizing the federal government, Shafi Jan alleged that rising fuel prices and economic policies had increased public hardships, while claiming his party had come to power through the public mandate.

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Commenting on the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, claimed the concerns of the Kashmiri people were not receiving adequate media coverage.

Highlighting the provincial government's support for journalists, he said substantial funds had been allocated under the Annual Development Programme (ADP), interest-free loans would be provided for up to 10 years, and the first installment for the Abbottabad Media Colony would be released in August.

The minister further announced plans to establish a single district-level press club by replacing tehsil-level press clubs and said laptop computers would also be provided to press club members.