Funding covers scholarships, job preparation, interfaith initiatives, restoration of community facilities
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government says it has approved new funds and policy measures aimed at improving education, employment and religious facilities for minority communities in the province.
After a meeting with a delegation representing minority groups, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Information Shafi Jan said the initiatives reflected what he described as a commitment to inclusive governance.
The meeting was also attended by Chief Minister’s Focal Person on Minority Affairs Wazir Zada. The meeting outlined a number of financial grants and development projects.
According to Special Assistant Jan, Prime Minister Sohail Afridi has approved funds totaling Rs 8.6 billion. for minority welfare initiatives. Of this, Rs 800 million has been earmarked for scholarships for minority students covering education from matriculation to PhD level.
Another Rs2 billion has been earmarked for competitive exam preparation and skill training programs for minority youth, he said.
The government has also earmarked Rs 3 billion for initiatives promoting inter-faith harmony, community exchange programs and support for religious festivals. Funding has been approved for the renovation and repair of places of worship, including Rs 1 billion for places in the merged districts and Rs 700 million for settled districts.
Special Assistant Jan said Rs 1 billion had been approved for rehabilitation of crematoriums and graveyards, while development projects worth Rs 4.1 billion were underway for construction and restoration of places of worship and minority residential areas.
He added that a 2% quota was reserved for minority students in educational institutions, while the 5% quota for minorities in government departments was fully implemented.
