PESHAWAR : The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly session began two hours late under the chairmanship of Panel of Chairmen Anwar Khan. During the question hour, the government faced tough questions regarding education, health and the performance of government institutions.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) member Ahmad Kundi questioned the government about cadet colleges approved in different districts over the past ten years, the expenditures incurred and the criteria for their establishment. He strongly criticized the government, saying, “If the provincial government cannot build even one cadet college in seven years, what else can it do?”
Parliamentary Secretary Rajab Abbasi said cadet college projects were underway in Lakki Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan, Mardan and other districts, while special attention had also been given to the merged districts. The Mardan Cadet College will start in 2027, while 70 percent of work on the Lakki Marwat Cadet College has been completed.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) member Sajjadullah raised the issue of staff shortages at Patan College in Kohistan, saying, “There are neither watchmen nor teachers at the college, forcing students to travel to Abbottabad and Mansehra.” He demanded that the matter be referred to a committee. Law Minister Aftab Alam said the government had decided to recruit staff on a contractual basis.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) member Amina Sardar demanded a separate curriculum for children with disabilities. She said the needs of children with disabilities were different, yet they were being taught the same curriculum as other children. Parliamentary Secretary Rajab Abbasi said a separate curriculum could leave children with disabilities behind in future competition.
PML-N member Shazia Jadoon raised the issue of Class-IV employees of boys’ and girls’ colleges in Haripur allegedly performing duties in other government departments. She asked under which law they were working there and said, “I have complete evidence regarding this matter.”
Minority member Suresh Kumar raised, through a call-attention notice, the death of Khurram Shahzad, a sanitation worker at Tehsil Tangi Hospital in Charsadda. According to the notice, Khurram Shahzad was also assigned gardening duties and fell from a tree while pruning branches, later succumbing to his injuries. He demanded action against the medical superintendent and financial assistance for the deceased’s family. The Law Minister said a committee headed by the assistant commissioner had been formed to investigate the incident and that the deceased’s widow had been given a government job.
Awami National Party (ANP) member Arbab Usman criticized the government’s performance, saying, “This is 2026, and ministers and secretaries are not even present here.” PPP member Ahmad Kundi demanded that a report concerning finance, health and the Annual Development Programme be presented in the House. He said, “Water worth Rs60 billion annually is flowing from Galiyat to other places.”
Government member Ubaidullah raised the visa and employment problems faced by Pakistanis living in the United Arab Emirates, saying an estimated 1.8 million Pakistanis are working there and facing difficulties. Panel of Chairmen Anwar Khan urged the federal government to take notice of the issue.
On power outages, Panel of Chairmen Anwar Khan issued a ruling directing the PESCO chief to appear before the Assembly and brief lawmakers on the power situation.
The Assembly also passed a resolution on child protection. The resolution expressed concern over incidents of child abuse, violence, kidnapping and murder, and called for stronger laws against sexual crimes, improved police investigations and forensic facilities, swift legal action against perpetrators, and legal, psychological and social support for affected children and their families.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly session was adjourned until September 21.
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