Chief Minister enhances compensation for minority communities

PESHAWAR, Apr 01 (APP): Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Sohail Khan Afridi, Wednesday chaired a video-link meeting of the Assessment Committee for the Endowment Fund established for minority communities affected by terrorism, making key decisions to ensure their protection and rights.
The Chief Minister directed that financial assistance cheques be distributed this week to the victims of the 2013 All Saints Church attack in Kohati Gate, Peshawar. He approved an increase in the endowment fund’s seed money from Rs. 200 million to Rs. 400 million.
In a significant enhancement of financial support, the Chief Minister ordered that compensation for widows under the fund be increased from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 2 million, while financial assistance for orphans was raised from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 1.5 million.
He also directed an increase in compensation for persons with disabilities from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 1 million and increased financial assistance for the injured from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 600,000.
Further directives included initiating necessary groundwork for establishing a separate directorate for minority communities within the Auqaf Department.
The Chief Minister also instructed that a development scheme for the rehabilitation of residential colonies of minority communities be proposed in the next Annual Development Program.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister stated that the protection and welfare of minority communities is a constitutional and moral responsibility.
He acknowledged their commendable contribution to the country’s development and affirmed that the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stands firmly with them.
“ensuring equal rights and opportunities for minority citizens is the government’s top priority,” he added.