The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved the transfer of powers assigned to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister to the governor for the day-to-day administration of provincial affairs during the period of emergency in the province. A statement issued by the PM Office said the decision aims to facilitate administrative matters and improve governance.
The governor will submit a monthly review report to the federal government regarding the exercise of these powers. The cabinet met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair.
Welcoming the decision, the cabinet expressed hope that the KP Advisory Council, under the governor's leadership, would strive for public welfare and the maintenance of law and order. The PM announced a development package worth Rs160 billion for the province, adding that federal and provincial governments, in coordination with security institutions, would take comprehensive measures to eliminate terrorism.
Shehbaz Sharif noted that a large number of terrorists had been neutralized in the province and expressed confidence that, with the sacrifices of security forces, terrorism would be eradicated once and for all. The cabinet also approved replacing the existing Rs10 banknote with a Rs10 coin and ratified the defence cooperation agreement between Pakistan and Kuwait, signed on June 11, 2023.
Furthermore, the cabinet ratified decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises and the Cabinet Committee for Legislative Cases. Addressing the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif stated that Pakistan is continuing sincere diplomatic efforts to establish regional peace.
He added that the government would ensure the supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and petroleum products, keep power plants operational, and control price pressures to prevent public hardship during the winter season. The cabinet members emphasized that the administrative shift is a temporary measure necessitated by the current security challenges in the region.
The meeting concluded with a resolve to prioritize the economic stability of the province alongside the ongoing security operations.