SAWABI: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur announced a 13% increase in the education budget and doubling of the scholarship endowment fund from Rs 1.2 billion to Rs 2.4 billion.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur presided over the first convocation of Gujju Khan Medical College in Swabi on Tuesday. The ceremony marked a significant step forward not only for the institution but also for the province’s commitment to strengthening its health and education systems.
Accompanied by Members of the National Assembly Asad Qaiser and Shahram Tarakai, along with Provincial Cabinet Member Rangiz Ahmed, the Chief Minister presented over 100 gold medals and more than 200 MBBS degrees to graduating students, celebrating their entry into the professional world of medicine.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Gandapur congratulated the graduates, their families, and faculty, calling the day the beginning of a meaningful journey. He urged the young doctors to carry their responsibilities with compassion and integrity. “Patients see you as their messiahs—protect that trust through your service and character,” he said, emphasizing that the profession demands not just skill, but empathy and ethical commitment.
During his speech, Gandapur outlined key government initiatives aimed at uplifting the province’s healthcare and education sectors. He announced a 13% increase in the education budget and the doubling of the scholarship endowment fund from Rs 1.2 billion to Rs 2.4 billion. He also noted that 1,500 nurses have been trained abroad under the government’s capacity-building program, while advanced treatments like liver, kidney, and bone marrow transplants have been made accessible through the Sehat Card Plus program.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the ongoing expansion of cardiac care services beyond Peshawar, with two new regional cardiac centers under construction and four more scheduled to launch in the upcoming fiscal year.
On the financial front, Gandapur pointed to a dramatic turnaround in the province’s fiscal health. He shared that his government inherited a treasury with only 18 days’ worth of salaries, but today maintains a surplus covering three months. A Rs 150 billion debt retirement fund, generating Rs 40 million daily, has enabled the government to clear Rs 60 billion of Rs 72 billion in liabilities. He further announced that all pension liabilities would be eliminated in the upcoming budget.
Commending the college’s progress, Gandapur praised Gujju Khan Medical College as a rising star in the province’s academic landscape. “This institution has set a new benchmark in medical education. The faculty, administration, and students all deserve recognition,” he remarked.
The convocation concluded on a celebratory note, with new graduates pledging to serve humanity with professionalism, dedication, and compassion.
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