Over 5.5 Million Children Out of School in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Says Federal Information Minister

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has strongly criticized the performance of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government, highlighting the alarming state of education and healthcare in the province. He revealed that over 5.5 million children in KP are currently out of school.
Speaking during a session of the National Assembly, Tarar said the KP government has failed to deliver in vital sectors, stating that no revolutionary project is included in the provincial budget and no real relief has been provided to the people.
He also pointed out the incomplete Safe City Project in Peshawar and emphasized the absence of any transformative initiatives in KP’s new budget. Tarar blamed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for wasting the province’s time and resources during its tenure.
On the international front, the minister praised Pakistan’s firm stance at the United Nations Security Council against the Israeli attack on Iran. He noted that Iran’s Permanent Representative at the UN commended Pakistan’s support. Tarar stressed that under the UN Charter, Iran has the right to defend itself, and Pakistan stands in full solidarity with the Iranian people during this difficult time.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace in the region and its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, stating that the country has consistently condemned the atrocities against Palestinians and raised their voice at all international forums.
Discussing the federal budget, Tarar highlighted that the current account is now in surplus and that the government has provided significant relief to the salaried class, including salary hikes and tax reductions. He added that despite PTI’s attempts to discourage overseas Pakistanis from sending remittances, record remittances were received.
He also revealed that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has collected record-breaking revenues, with a 30% tax increase on the sugar industry and a need to tighten control over the tobacco mafia. For the first time, a faceless assessment system has been introduced at Karachi Port, enabling containers to be cleared within hours.
Tarar further announced that a windfall tax has been imposed on banks for the first time in the country’s history, and due to the Prime Minister’s direct involvement, Rs. 34.5 billion have been recovered and returned to the national treasury.