Funding covers scholarships, job preparation, interfaith initiatives and restoration of community facilities.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government says it has approved new funding measures and policies aimed at improving education, employment and religious facilities for minority communities in the province.
Speaking after a meeting with a delegation representing minority groups, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on 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 Incharge for Minority Affairs Wazir Zada. The meeting presented a series of financial allocations and development projects.
According to Special Assistant Jan, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi approved funds totaling Rs 8.6 billion for minority protection initiatives. Of this, Rs 800 million has been earmarked for scholarships for minority students, covering education from matriculation to PhD.
Another two billion rupees have been allocated for competitive exam preparation and vocational training programs for minority youth, he said.
The government has also set aside Rs 3 billion for initiatives promoting interfaith harmony, community exchange programs and support for religious festivals. Funding was approved for the renovation and repair of places of worship, including Rs 1 billion for sites in merged districts and Rs 700 million for colonized districts.
Special Assistant Jan said Rs 1 billion had been approved for rehabilitation of cremation grounds and cemeteries, 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 had been reserved for minority students in educational institutions, while the 5% employment quota for minorities in government ministries was fully implemented.
