Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has announced the establishment of a Tribal Medical College, Tribal University of Modern Sciences, and Shaheed Arshad Sharif University of Investigative Journalism for the merged districts, alongside several major governance and reform initiatives aimed at strengthening institutions and improving public service delivery.

Presiding over the first formal meeting of the provincial cabinet, the chief minister reviewed the Good Governance Roadmap, law and order, and anti-corruption measures. The meeting was attended by the chief secretary, inspector general of police, additional chief secretary, and other senior officials, while divisional commissioners, deputy commissioners, RPOs, and DPOs participated via video link.

Afridi was briefed on the province’s governance framework, the security situation, recent terrorist incidents, police capacity-building, and future plans. He said that the PTI government is functioning under a clear public mandate and reaffirmed that Imran Khan remains the party’s lifetime chairman. He praised the bureaucracy and police for safeguarding the public mandate despite pressure, but warned that action would be taken against officials who failed to stand by the people during that period.

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Declaring zero tolerance for corruption, Afridi said his government’s top priority is accountability and transparency. “No one involved in corruption will be spared, and any officer who fails to satisfy the public will not remain in office,” he asserted, adding that practical change—not traditional methods—will bring real transformation to people’s lives.

In addition to announcing the new educational institutions, Afridi unveiled plans for a Safe City Project, construction of playgrounds at the tehsil level, and the launch of the ‘Peshawar Revival Plan’ for the city’s restoration and development. He directed that the e-PAD system be integrated with e-tendering and that schools adopt a concept-based examination system instead of rote learning.

The chief minister ordered strict implementation of the two-year posting policy, emphasizing the end of favoritism and the enforcement of merit. He also clarified that no political figure will be arrested under 3MPO, and politically motivated FIRs will be abolished, reaffirming that freedom of expression is every citizen’s constitutional right.

Acknowledging the sacrifices of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police in the fight against terrorism, Afridi pledged full government support and criticized the federal government for withholding War on Terror funds, which he said had created financial difficulties for the province. He demanded that the federal government release pending funds to strengthen the police force.

Afridi instructed that no torture of prisoners will be tolerated, no political interference in policing will be allowed, and public complaints must be addressed promptly. He also announced plans to establish separate residential enclaves for police and media personnel within provincial housing societies.

Ordering the return of substandard bulletproof vehicles provided by the federal government, Afridi termed them “an insult to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police.” He also directed the restoration of security for former chief ministers to ensure their safety and respect.