Web Desk: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s provincial government has no plans to discontinue or cancel its Sehat Card Plus healthcare programme but is reviewing internal irregularities identified within the scheme, provincial Information Adviser Samar Bilour said on Friday.
Speaking at a news conference in Peshawar, Bilour dismissed reports suggesting that the government intended to shut down the healthcare initiative, saying authorities were examining its internal affairs rather than considering its termination.
She said the government was also pursuing reforms in the provincial police force, reviewing the performance of public hospitals and taking action against illegal encroachments across Peshawar.
Bilour said the provincial government aimed to develop a comprehensive institutional framework for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police within the next five to six weeks.
The proposed framework would strengthen the force’s ability to tackle anti-state elements, organised crime and other security challenges, she added.
Moreover, the government wants to improve the police force’s operational capacity so that officers can respond more effectively to emerging law and order challenges.
The information adviser said the government was also assessing the administrative structure and performance of the province’s Medical Teaching Institutions (MTIs).
She acknowledged concerns that the MTI system had weakened public-sector hospitals, but said the government would examine all aspects before making any decisions.
Bilour stressed that professional qualifications and merit must remain the primary criteria for appointments to senior hospital positions.
She said appointments should not be influenced by family connections, personal friendships or political affiliations.
Furthermore, she assured that qualified professionals who meet the prescribed standards would not face removal from their positions for political reasons.
Turning to the ongoing anti-encroachment campaign in Peshawar, Bilour said authorities were taking action without favouritism or political recommendations.
She said the campaign targeted illegal occupation of government land and green belts, adding that removing encroachments was essential to addressing traffic congestion and drainage problems in the provincial capital.
However, she said the government would not simply clear the occupied sites and leave them vacant. Instead, authorities would restore and redevelop the areas in the next phase to create better and more attractive public spaces for residents.
Bilour said the provincial government was also working to improve waste management, sanitation and drainage services across Peshawar.
She noted that the performance of the city’s waste management and sanitation departments had improved, with workers continuing cleaning operations on roads until late at night.
At present, authorities are removing accumulated waste from different parts of the city while developing a permanent system for waste collection, she added.
The government is also working on a mechanism to prevent the theft of manhole covers after installation, aiming to stop the recurring problem and reduce risks to pedestrians and motorists.
Bilour said the initiatives formed part of broader efforts to improve public services, strengthen institutions and address longstanding urban management challenges in Peshawar.
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