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PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Thursday approved a 20 percent increase in internship seats under the province-wide internship programme, raising the total number from 5,000 to 6,000.
An official communique stated that the approval was given while chairing the 24th meeting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Highways Council.
The matters relating to the budget of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Highways Authority, its annual maintenance plan, and other strategic institutional affairs were discussed and approved.
The chief minister noted that the internship initiative aims to equip youth with practical professional experience and enhance their employability in the job market.
The meeting also approved an increase in the authority’s annual administrative and operational grant from Rs30 million to Rs40 million to improve institutional efficiency and align the road maintenance system with modern operational requirements and service delivery standards.
Directing the relevant authorities to allocate increased financial resources in the upcoming provincial budget, the chief minister emphasized the inclusion of major development schemes to improve the province’s road connectivity network.
He stated that the authority’s forthcoming development programme would include several high-impact strategic projects, with timely and adequate funding to ensure swift completion.
The meeting also approved the internship plan proposed by the authority under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Internship Policy.
In a pro-business move, the chief minister directed that Right of Way charges will not be levied by the Highways Authority, aiming to promote ease of doing business and create a more investment-friendly environment in the province.
The meeting approved proposed amendments to the authority’s Service Regulations 2019 and decided to strengthen the framework governing retirement benefits and death compensation for employees to enhance institutional welfare and social protection.
