The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet has approved the KP Vagrancy Control and Rehabilitation Bill 2025, which aims to address beggary through a modern and rights-based approach. The proposed law will replace the 2020 framework, focusing mainly on rehabilitation rather than punishment. It also clearly separates vulnerable individuals in need of support from organised criminal groups involved in forced begging.
The bill includes measures to protect children involved in begging and sets penalties for those exploiting vulnerable people. It also provides rehabilitation and skill development programmes to help individuals rebuild their lives. A dedicated rehabilitation fund will be established under provincial supervision to support these efforts.
The cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi, approved the Hybrid Wheat Procurement and Strategic Reserves Policy 2026. The policy aims to shift gradually from a government-controlled system to a market-based wheat economy, while keeping strategic reserves to ensure food security. It also introduces indicative pricing to stabilize wheat prices and encourages more private sector participation in wheat procurement and storage.
The cabinet approved the adjustment of wheat procurement liabilities worth Rs38.042 billion with the federal government against Passco dues of Rs41.97 billion. The remaining Rs3.928 billion will be paid to Passco. To improve healthcare services, the cabinet allocated Rs4.065 billion for hiring 2,439 medical officers, dental surgeons, and nurses on fixed pay. Recruitment will be carried out through walk-in interviews under revised health department rules.
The cabinet approved a grant of Rs196 million to provide laptops to minority students studying in higher education programmes under the Chief Minister’s Digital Inclusion Programme. It also approved amendments to the Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2010. In addition, breast screening centres will be established at five divisional headquarters to improve women’s access to health services.
The cabinet further approved the transfer of land for the establishment of a nursing college in Upper Chitral. It also approved an increase in the cost of the women and children hospital project in Sarai Naurang, Lakki Marwat, and the construction of a ladies and children park on Kohat Road in Peshawar.
The cabinet approved funding to acquire land for the Peshawar–Dera Ismail Khan Motorway.
It also greenlit the expansion of the Judicial Complex in Hangu. The Tirah Model Financial Assistance Package was extended to 6,505 more families in Khyber. Additionally, a private sector representative was nominated to the Private Power and Infrastructure Board.
