Peshawar(Web Desk) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has declared that the province is already under the influence of the PTI founder, adding that “there is no need for any other rule here — and if anyone has the courage, let them try imposing Governor’s Rule. We fear no one.”
Speaking to the media in Hayatabad, CM Afridi said that the provincial government is following the compassion and vision of Imran Khan, especially for marginalised and vulnerable communities. He added that the PTI founder had directed authorities to immediately distribute Zakat funds among deserving families and ensure the provision of assistive devices to persons with disabilities in merged districts.
The chief minister said the KP government is running these welfare initiatives from its own limited resources, while the federal government still owes the province over Rs 3 trillion.
“Imagine what we could achieve if the Centre cleared our dues,” he remarked.
Afridi also accused the federal government of corruption amounting to Rs 5,300 billion, lamenting that “instead of appreciating our service delivery and relief measures, fingers are still pointed at us.”
During the ceremony, he announced transport facilities for schools in merged districts and ordered the immediate provision of all missing facilities in schools for children with special needs.
Launch of the ‘Ehsaas Umeed Programme’
Earlier, CM Afridi formally launched the province-wide Ehsaas Umeed Programme, designed for individuals with severe disabilities. Under the scheme, 10,000 persons with disabilities will receive Rs 5,000 monthly assistance until June 2026, with an allocated budget of Rs 300 million.
He also handed over 23 new transport vehicles — including 12 minibuses and 11 Hiace vans — to the Social Welfare Department for use by students of 54 special education institutions. These vehicles were purchased at a cost of Rs 377 million.
A ceremony was held at the Special Education Complex, Hayatabad, where officials briefed participants on the modalities of the Ehsaas Umeed Programme. They shared that priority will be given to individuals with severe disabilities, and financial assistance will be transferred directly into beneficiaries’ accounts through biometric verification. Beneficiaries will be selected through the Zakat Management Information System (ZMIS).
