Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur announced that the provincial government has paid off Rs 60 billion out of Rs 72 billion in inherited liabilities, and vowed that pension liabilities would be brought to zero in the upcoming budget. He made these remarks while addressing the first convocation ceremony of Gaju Khan Medical College in Swabi, where he attended as the chief guest.
The convocation was also attended by National Assembly members Asad Qaiser and Shahram Tarakai, Provincial Cabinet Member Rangiz Ahmed, faculty members, administrative staff, students, and their parents. Over 200 students received degrees, and more than 100 were awarded gold medals for academic excellence.
“Participating in the convocation of Gaju Khan Medical College is a source of great joy and honour,” said CM Gandapur, extending congratulations to the graduates, their parents, and teachers. He emphasised the importance of medical graduates entering the profession with a strong sense of responsibility, service to humanity, and ethical behaviour.
“Patients consider you as their messiah and place their trust in you—never let that trust be broken,” he urged the graduates. “Good behaviour is remembered far longer than treatments.”
Highlighting government initiatives, the chief minister said that education and health are top priorities. The education budget share will be increased by 13% in the next provincial budget, and the scholarship endowment fund has been doubled from Rs 1.2 billion to Rs 2.4 billion.
On the health front, CM Gandapur announced that expensive treatments like liver, bone marrow, and kidney transplants have been added to the Sehat Card program. “We’ve already trained 1,500 nurses from international institutions, and hospitals are being equipped with modern machinery,” he stated.
Cardiac care facilities, previously limited to Peshawar, are being expanded. Cardiac centres are being established in two regions, with plans for four more in the next budget cycle.
Regarding financial reforms, the chief minister revealed that when the current government took charge, the treasury had only 18 days’ worth of salary. “Today, the provincial treasury holds three months’ advance salary,” he said, crediting prudent management under the vision of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
A debt repayment fund worth Rs 150 billion has been established, generating Rs 40 million in daily income. Additionally, Rs 30 billion previously withdrawn from the pension fund during the last government has been returned.
Concluding his speech, CM Gandapur praised Gaju Khan Medical College, calling it “an excellent centre of medical education and a model institution in the province.
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