CTD, Special Branch get funds as govt hits out at Centre over non-release of NFC funds
PESHAWAR:
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa cabinet on Friday approved a series of major policy and development decisions, including a substantial enhancement of the capacity of law-enforcement and intelligence agencies, amid criticism of the federal government over delayed funds and alleged political victimisation.
The cabinet cleared a Rs17 billion package for the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), out of which Rs7 billion will be released immediately, and approved Rs14 billion for the Special Branch to strengthen counter-terrorism and intelligence operations. The funds will be utilised for the procurement of modern weapons, armoured vehicles, recruitment of new personnel and the establishment of additional offices across the province.
The decisions were taken at the 43rd meeting of the provincial cabinet, held in Peshawar and chaired by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that funds promised to the province under the National Finance Commission (NFC) award, which were to be released on a quarterly basis, had not yet been provided by the federal government for the fiscal year 2025-26.
He said the non-release of funds was adversely affecting development projects in the merged districts, adding that despite financial constraints, the provincial government was making every effort to ensure that people in the merged areas were not deprived of development and welfare initiatives.
Touching on the political situation, the chief minister strongly criticised the federal and Punjab governments, alleging inhuman and undemocratic treatment of former prime minister Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi and his sisters. He claimed that water cannons laced with harmful chemicals were used earlier in the week, causing health issues for peaceful political workers, parliamentarians, party leadership and Imran Khan’s sisters present at the site. He said such actions violated democratic norms and were strongly condemned by the provincial government.
The chief minister urged the federal government to focus on stabilising the country’s economy instead of what he described as political victimisation, warning that key economic indicators, including GDP growth, agricultural output and industrial performance, were continuously declining.
Briefing the media after the meeting, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan said the cabinet took important decisions related to socio-economic development, law and order and governance.
He announced the approval of the Ehsaas Rehri Ban (Street Vendors) Livelihood Protection Act 2025, which will soon be tabled in the provincial assembly. The law aims to safeguard the rights of street vendors by allocating designated vending spaces in cities, enabling them to operate in a regulated and improved environment. He said nearly 150,000 people in the province were associated with street vending, and legal protection would help formalise it as a sustainable livelihood. The vendors will also be able to benefit from various government loan schemes.
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