KP Announces Rs1 Billion Journalists' Welfare Package
The plan boosts media funding, expands welfare supports, allocates money for media colonies, clears outstanding dues, signaling a coordinated political mobilisation set to begin on August 5.
Overview
- Between Monday and Wednesday, Information Minister Shafi Jan told district press clubs that the 2026–27 budget includes a Rs1 billion package for journalists’ welfare.
- The Journalists' Endowment Fund will be raised from Rs200 million to Rs500 million and the budget sets aside Rs500 million for media colonies plus Rs400 million to clear outstanding media dues.
- Officials detailed targeted supports including medical aid, scholarships for journalists’ children, pensions for veteran reporters, marriage and illness assistance, overseas training and interest-free loans up to Rs5 million.
- The announcements were made during a district-level outreach drive ordered by Chief Minister Sohail Afridi that the government used to highlight its education spending, press freedom claims, and demands for unpaid NFC transfers to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- Provincial leaders also said consultations are complete and a coordinated movement for Imran Khan’s release will begin on August 5, while the budget commitments and timelines for actual disbursement remain to be observed.