Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Adviser Samar Bilour has clarified that the provincial government is not planning to abolish or suspend the Sehat Card programme. Instead, the government is reviewing internal irregularities identified in the scheme.
Addressing a press conference in Peshawar on Friday,Samar Bilour said the government was also working to improve the police system, strengthen public hospitals and remove illegal encroachments across the provincial capital.
Bilour rejected reports suggesting that the Sehat Card programme was being discontinued.
She explained that the government was only examining internal irregularities and had made no decision to shut down the healthcare scheme.
The information adviser said the government was also reviewing the management and performance of Medical Teaching Institutions (MTIs) across the province.
She acknowledged concerns that the MTI system may have weakened public hospitals. However, she said the government would examine all aspects before making any major decisions.
Bilour stressed that appointments to senior positions in hospitals should be based on professional qualifications and merit rather than personal connections or political influence.
She added that qualified professionals would not be removed from their positions for political reasons.
Anti-encroachment operations
Bilour said operations against illegal encroachments in Peshawar were being carried out without discrimination or political pressure.
She explained that removing illegal structures from government land and green belts was necessary to address the city’s traffic congestion and drainage problems.
According to Bilour, areas cleared of encroachments will not be left abandoned. The government plans to restore and redevelop these locations into improved public spaces.
Police Reforms Within Six Weeks
Speaking about police reforms, Bilour said the provincial government aims to establish a stronger framework for the KP Police within the next five to six weeks.
The new system will help police take more effective action against anti-state elements, organised crime and other security threats.
Improvements in Cleanliness and Waste Management
The information adviser also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve sanitation and waste management in Peshawar.
She said the performance of waste management and city cleaning departments had improved, with workers continuing their duties late into the night.
Bilour explained that authorities were currently removing accumulated waste from different parts of the city while developing a permanent waste collection system.
She added that the government was also working on a solution to prevent the theft of manhole covers.
The proposed system will aim to ensure that newly installed covers remain secure, reducing safety risks and preventing the same problem from occurring repeatedly.
Bilour reaffirmed that the provincial government’s focus is on improving public services, strengthening institutions and addressing long-standing problems faced by residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
