K-P Cabinet Raises Ehsaas Naujawan Programme Fund to Rs5 Billion Amid Wide Reform Push

Peshawar – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – The K-P Cabinet has approved a large set of new measures for youth, education, health and infrastructure. Information Minister Shafi Jan shared these updates while briefing reporters after the cabinet’s 56th meeting.

One of the biggest decisions was raising the Ehsaas Naujawan Programme budget. It has grown from Rs3 billion to Rs5 billion. This step comes after growing public demand and a rising number of applications from young people across the province.

The programme supports youth entrepreneurship. It also helps with self-employment, financial inclusion and long-term livelihood opportunities. With more funds now available, more young applicants can hopefully benefit from it soon.

Education also received major attention in this meeting. The cabinet approved a new jacketed textbook system. This system will start from kindergarten up to Grade V, beginning in the 2027-28 academic year. Later, Grades VI to VIII will also join this system.

Under this model, two or more textbooks will be bound together under one cover. This will reduce the weight of schoolbags. It will also ease the daily load carried by young students, without changing any approved content.

Students from Grades IX to XII got good news too. The cabinet approved fully free textbooks for them. This move aims to reduce the financial burden faced by many families.

The cabinet also approved Rs188.756 million for model schools in merged districts. These include areas like Mohmand, South Waziristan, Kurram and North Waziristan. A separate grant of Rs60 million was approved for Langlands School and College in Chitral.

Healthcare was another key focus area. The cabinet approved Rs66.56 million to support the treatment of 21 deserving patients. Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi asked the Health Department to release these funds quickly, without any delay.

In addition, 114 new house job slots were approved for young doctors. Stipends for House Officers and Trainee Medical Officers will also rise by 15 percent. This will be followed by a five percent yearly increase after that.

A deeply important decision involved compensation for terror attack victims in Bajaur. Families who lost loved ones will now receive Rs10 million. Those with major or minor injuries will get Rs2.5 million each.

The standard compensation package was also increased. Families of deceased victims will now get Rs5 million, up from Rs1 million earlier. Compensation for major injuries has increased to Rs1.5 million as well.

On the legislative side, the cabinet approved the K-P Public Private Partnership Authority Bill, 2026. This will help build a more professional and independent system for approving public projects.

The K-P Teachers Bill, 2026 was also approved. It focuses on regularising the services of ad-hoc teachers working in elementary and secondary schools.

Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also gave clear instructions to cabinet members. He asked them to continue regular field visits. He also wants all public complaints followed up until they are fully resolved.

Overall, this cabinet meeting reflects a strong push toward youth support, better education and stronger relief systems for affected families across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.