Shafi Jan: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafi Jan said the provincial government has strengthened the province’s financial position despite fiscal challenges and what he described as discriminatory treatment by the federal government.

Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar alongside Chief Minister’s Adviser on Finance Muzammil Aslam, Shafi Jan said the provincial administration had followed the economic vision of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to improve financial stability despite limited resources.

He claimed the caretaker government had left the province in a difficult financial situation, saying the treasury held enough funds to pay government employees’ salaries for only 15 days when the PTI-led administration assumed office.

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Shafi Jan said the provincial government addressed the financial crisis and even paid salaries in advance after taking charge.

He also alleged that the caretaker administration had purchased wheat without clearing payments and had suspended the Sehat Card programme. He said the PTI government restored the health scheme immediately and spent Rs125 billion over the past three years to provide free healthcare services.

Criticising the federal government, Shafi Jan claimed it had ended several welfare initiatives for low-income families, while the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government continued expanding public welfare programmes.

He said the province received Rs72 billion in net hydel profit payments during the past two years.

Highlighting development spending, the minister said the provincial government allocated Rs195 billion under the previous fiscal year’s Annual Development Programme (ADP) but ultimately spent Rs240 billion on development projects.

He added that authorities have already released 40% of the current fiscal year’s ADP allocation to ensure timely implementation of development schemes.

Shafi Jan said the federal government has yet to clarify funding for the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP). However, he added that the provincial government released Rs11 billion for the merged districts under the programme.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining fiscal discipline while continuing development projects and public welfare initiatives across the province.