Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has announced an electric bike scheme for women and directed the provincial departments to accelerate development and public welfare projects across the province.

Addressing the 57th meeting of the provincial cabinet, Afridi said the KP government would soon launch the first phase of an EV bike scheme for female college and university students as well as working women.

He said the electric bikes would be provided strictly on merit. After the EV bike scheme, the provincial government would also introduce an electric rickshaw scheme.

“EV rickshaws will be an excellent initiative for a clean and green environment,” the chief minister said.

Afridi also directed authorities to speed up work on the electric bus scheme for divisional headquarters. He instructed departments to accelerate all public-interest schemes included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP).

The chief minister said the government must move beyond bureaucratic hurdles and political negligence and adopt an “out-of-the-box” approach to development.

He praised the Planning and Development Department for its performance and directed that work on development projects be further accelerated.

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Afridi expressed hope that the current financial year would become a year of peace, development and prosperity for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Concern Over Imran Khan’s Health: 

The chief minister also expressed serious concern over the health of PTI founder Imran Khan and demanded implementation of all court orders concerning his treatment.

Afridi said the Supreme Court had ordered that Imran Khan be treated at Shifa International Hospital in the presence of his sister and personal doctors.

He alleged that the federal government had violated the court’s order and that Imran Khan was brought to the hospital “through a fraudulent process” during the night.

“The KP government is extremely concerned about Imran Khan’s health,” Afridi said, demanding that judicial orders concerning the former prime minister be implemented in letter and spirit.

He alleged that Imran Khan’s health had deteriorated while he was under the supervision of the federal government. Afridi said Khan was “completely healthy and super fit” when he was arrested and had subsequently been kept in solitary confinement for eight to nine months.

According to the chief minister, such treatment had never been witnessed in Pakistan’s history and the health problems faced by Imran Khan were also a result of this situation.

Afridi said ignoring judicial orders amounted to disrespecting the judiciary and judges. “The entire nation is looking towards the courts. The courts have to deliver justice,” he said.