The newly elected Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, on Monday presided over a high-level meeting during which several major development projects were announced for the merged districts.

During the meeting, the chief minister announced the establishment of the Tribal Medical College, the Tribal University of Modern Sciences, and the University of Investigative and Modern Journalism, to be named after martyred journalist Arshad Sharif.

Approval was also granted for the construction of playgrounds in all districts and the launch of a safe city project.

The meeting reviewed progress on the good governance roadmap, the law and order situation, and anti-corruption measures across the province.

Speaking on the occasion, Sohail Afridi said there had been attempts to undermine the public mandate, but provincial officers played a key role in safeguarding democratic values.

He announced awards for such officers and warned of action against those found working against the public interest.

Afridi reaffirmed his government’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption, asserting that no one would be allowed to misuse public office.

“Government officials and the administration are public servants, and anyone failing to meet public expectations will not retain their position,” he said.

The chief minister stressed that his government was not here to work in the “traditional way” but to bring real and tangible change for the people.

He directed the introduction of a conceptual examination system to replace the existing rote-learning model.

Furthermore, Afridi made it clear that no political cases or arrests under 3-MPO (Maintenance of Public Order) would be carried out during his tenure.

The meeting also decided to prioritise the development of merged districts, ensuring better access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities for their residents.