Governor Shah Farman Kundi presided over the oath‑taking ceremony for five newly appointed ministers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday, marking a significant reshuffle in the provincial cabinet. The swearing‑in took place at the Governor’s House in Peshawar and was attended by senior officials of the ruling party, opposition leaders, and members of the media.
The five ministers who took the oath are:
– Saad Khan, appointed as Minister for Health, tasked with overseeing the province’s public‑health initiatives and the rollout of the latest health‑sector reforms.
– Nadia Bibi, named Minister for Education, responsible for implementing the new curriculum and improving school infrastructure across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
– Imran Ali, assigned the portfolio of Finance and Planning, who will manage the provincial budget and coordinate development projects.
– Ayesha Shah, designated Minister for Women Development and Social Welfare, focusing on gender‑sensitive policies and community outreach programs.
– Zafar Mehmood, given charge of Law and Parliamentary Affairs, charged with strengthening legislative processes and ensuring compliance with national legal standards.
In his address, Governor Kundi emphasized the importance of a unified government that can deliver “transparent, accountable, and people‑centred governance.” He highlighted the challenges facing the province, including health‑care delivery, education quality, fiscal management, women’s empowerment, and legal reforms, and urged the new ministers to work collaboratively with civil society and the private sector.
The cabinet reshuffle follows the recent provincial assembly session where the ruling coalition secured a majority vote on several key bills, including the Health Services Enhancement Act and the Education Improvement Ordinance. Political analysts suggest that the inclusion of younger, technocratic faces in the cabinet aims to boost public confidence ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
Opposition parties praised the smooth conduct of the oath ceremony but called for greater scrutiny of the new ministers’ performance. They urged the provincial government to prioritize transparency in budget allocation and to ensure that health and education reforms reach remote districts.
The newly sworn‑in ministers are expected to assume their responsibilities immediately, with the first batch of policy briefs scheduled for presentation to the Governor’s Office within the next two weeks. Their performance will be closely monitored as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa seeks to meet its development targets outlined in the provincial Vision 2030 plan.
This development signals a renewed focus on governance reforms in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the governor and the new cabinet committing to accelerate progress in health, education, finance, women’s development, and legal affairs. The administration’s next steps include drafting actionable strategies, engaging stakeholders, and reporting on measurable outcomes to the public.
