PESHAWAR, Dec 08 (APP): The provincial government here on Monday introduced the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Endowment Fund (Kalash Community) Bill, 2025 in the Assembly.
The Bill was presented by the Minister for Law, Aftab Alam. According to the Bill, the provincial government will establish a special fund with an initial capital of 100 million rupees, which will be increased from time to time through contributions received under various heads, donations from philanthropists, grants from non-governmental organizations, and income generated through legal means.
The profit earned from the fund will be used for the social and cultural development of the Kalash community, welfare activities, and assistance in funeral rituals.
According to the Bill, a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Kalash Community Endowment Fund Committee will be formed to manage and control the fund. The fund will be kept in a bank, and investments will be made with the approval of the committee.
A separate Endowment Fund Assessment Committee will also be established for this purpose.
The committee will be chaired by the Deputy Commissioner of Lower Chitral, while the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Finance & Planning), a representative of the Department of Auqaf and Minority Affairs, the District Health Officer, the Assistant Director of Local Government, the Tehsil Municipal Officer of Drosh and the Additional Assistant Commissioner of Drosh (member and secretary) will be part of the committee.
Furthermore, four Qazis from the Kalash community including the Chief Qazi and one female Qazi will also be included to ensure direct community participation and transparency in the utilization of the fund.
When the Speaker Babar Salim Swati according to the rules, intended to send the Bill to the Standing Committee, Minister for Law, Aftab Alam requested that it should not be referred to the committee, as it would cause delays.
Opposition member Ahmed Kundi opposed this and insisted that the rules must be followed. He said that committees exist so members can properly examine matters, and under the new rules the committee will submit its report within three months and all recommendations will have to be implemented.
Fateh-ul-Mulk, while explaining the Bill, said that when someone in the Kalash community dies, it is their religious custom that around 4,500 people from the community visit the House of the deceased, and they must be fed. This tradition involves significant expenses, including the slaughtering of up to one thousand goats. The fund is being established to help them with this burden.
The Speaker sent the Bill to the Standing Committee and directed that the report be completed within ten days.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Law also presented the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Public Services (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the House.