Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Announces Financial Support Package for Peshawar Press Club
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur announced a financial assistance package for journalists, including a one-time grant of Rs. 50 million for the Peshawar Press Club (PPC) and an increase in the Journalists’ Welfare Endowment Fund from Rs. 128 million to Rs. 200 million.
The announcement was made during the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected PPC cabinet at the Chief Minister’s House. The event was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, PTI Central Secretary of Information Sheikh Waqas Akram, Secretary Information Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Arshad Khan, and many journalists.
Gandapur announced several initiatives for journalists, including doubling the number of scholarships for the children of deserving journalists, issuing allotment letters for journalists’ plots in New Peshawar Valley, and providing solar systems to journalists through a balloting system.
The chief minister congratulated PPC President M. Riaz from the Nawa-e-Waqt group and other elected members. He stated that journalism is a noble and responsible profession and that its significance increases when practiced with truth and integrity. He said that if every sector fulfills its responsibilities properly, societal issues will decrease.
Gandapur stated that before forming an opinion about anyone, one should think multiple times, adding that those who inform the public should be reliable and “one must never compromise on principles.” He said his government provides “unconditional support” to journalists and does so without any discrimination based on supporters and critics.