Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi criticised the federal government for failing to provide adequate support to the province, urging immediate improvements in healthcare and greater attention to its development needs.
Speaking at the annual conference of the Pakistan Association of Urological Surgeons in Peshawar on Sunday, Kundi said the province should receive the same level of attention to healthcare development as Punjab and Sindh.
He maintained that the federal government's approach to KP needed to change and called for practical measures to improve public services.
The governor stressed that specialised medical treatment should be accessible to residents of the merged districts, the southern districts and remote areas, rather than remaining concentrated in major cities.
He identified improvements to hospital infrastructure, modern medical equipment, doctors' training and medical research as priorities for strengthening the provincial healthcare system.
Kundi also highlighted the role of professional medical organisations in training young doctors and in developing cooperation with public sector hospitals.
House officers' Rs 70000 salary to be reviewed
Addressing concerns about medical professionals' working conditions, the governor said the current monthly salary of Rs 70000 for house officers was insufficient and would be reviewed.
He said that positive healthcare initiatives introduced by previous governments would continue, while shortcomings in service delivery would be addressed.
Kundi also emphasised the importance of creating a stable environment for investors and of providing young people with opportunities for professional development.
However, no revised salary figure, implementation schedule or additional allocation of healthcare funding was announced.
Peace essential for provincial development
Separately, addressing a religious gathering at Darbar Aalia Murshadabad Sharif in Peshawar, Kundi said that lasting peace was necessary for economic development and public welfare.
Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the governor's adviser Tayab Qureshi, and other guests attended the ceremony.
Kundi recalled the province's experience of terrorism and the sacrifices made by civilians, security personnel, religious scholars and students, including those killed in the Army Public School attack.
He urged religious scholars to promote tolerance, unity and social harmony while discouraging extremism.
The governor also called for greater investment in sport and opportunities for young athletes, noting that districts including Mardan, Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu produced internationally recognised sportspeople.
He identified oil, gas, water resources, tourism and Tarbela Dam as among the province's economic assets, arguing that their effective utilisation could improve development prospects.
Referring to Peshawar's former reputation as the 'City of Flowers', Kundi urged collective action to restore the province's image.
He said public safety should take priority, with provincial development and national progress following.
The governor's remarks renewed attention to federal support for KP, particularly on healthcare access in underserved districts. Specific funding commitments and the outcome of the proposed salary review remain unannounced.
