Sohail Afridi dares Centre to impose governor’s rule in KP

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said that PTI founder (Imran Khan) is already ruling the province and there is no need for any other rule. “If you have the courage, impose governor’s rule — we are not afraid of anyone,” he stated challenging the Centre.

He expressed said while taking to the media in Hayatabad after attending a ceremony.

Sohail Afridi said that the compassion and vision Imran Khan holds for the weak and special segments of society is the guiding path and priority of his government.

He said that the PTI chief has directed that the money available in the Zakat fund be immediately distributed among the deserving, and that assistive devices be provided to differently-abled persons in the merged districts.

The chief minister said that the provincial government is carrying out all these measures through its own resources, while the federation owes Khyber Pakhtunkhwa more than Rs3,000 billion.

“Just imagine what we would be able to do if the federal government paid our dues,” he said.

He further said that the federal government committed corruption worth Rs5,300 billion, yet no one questioned it.

Expressing regret, he said, “We are delivering and providing relief to the public, yet fingers are still pointed at us.”

He also announced transport facilities for schools in merged districts and directed immediate provision of all missing facilities in schools for special children.

Earlier, Sohail Afridi launched the “Ehsaas Umeed Programme” for persons with severe disabilities across the province.

Under the programme, 10,000 special persons will receive Rs5,000 per month each. A total of Rs300 million will be spent on the programme from January of the current financial year till June 2026.

The chief minister also formally handed over 23 vehicles purchased for free transportation of students enrolled in 54 special education institutions operating under the Social Welfare Department. These vehicles were bought at a total cost of around Rs377 million.

According to the statement, a ceremony was held at the Special Education Complex in Hayatabad on Monday for the formal launch and inauguration of these welfare initiatives. CM Sohail Afridi was the chief guest.

The participants were briefed that individuals with severe disabilities will be prioritised under Ehsaas Umeed, and that financial aid will be transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts through biometric verification.

It was shared that beneficiaries will be selected under the Zakat Management Information System.

Officials also briefed that the fleet of 23 vehicles includes 12 mini-buses and 11 Hiace vans for schools of special children.

Additionally, 2,000 electric wheelchairs have been distributed among differently-abled individuals working in government departments as well as among students in public universities and colleges.

A further 2,500 manual wheelchairs, 800 tricycles, 3,600 sewing machines, 617 hearing aids, 102 white canes, 44 crutches and 96 walkers have been provided to special persons across the province at a total cost of Rs760 million.