Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has urged the US Congress to investigate an alleged American plot to destabilize Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government, citing diplomatic correspondence.
During a meeting with a delegation from the New York State Assembly and the American-Pakistani Public Affairs Committee, led by Deputy Speaker Phil Ramos, the chief minister emphasized the importance of uncovering the truth behind the political turmoil caused by the cipher issue in Pakistan.
Adviser to the chief minister on finance, Muzammil Aslam, confirmed to Dawn that Mr. Gandapur raised the cipher issue with the American delegation.
He stated that the visitors “supported the chief minister’s concerns and acknowledged their validity.”
The Chief Minister’s Secretariat later issued a statement detailing the meeting.
According to the statement, Mr. Gandapur and the visitors discussed enhancing relations between KP and New York State, particularly focusing on collaboration for social sector development.
Both parties agreed to sign memorandums of understanding to foster partnerships in healthcare, education, trade, human resources, and to initiate nursing exchange and telehealth programs.
Cabinet members Syed Qasim Ali Shah, Faisal Khan Tarakai, and Muzammil Aslam, Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Additional Chief Secretary Syed Imtiaz Hussain Shah, and other senior officials were present at the meeting.
Mr. Gandapur informed the visitors that his government consistently appreciated US government initiatives aimed at public welfare projects.
He emphasized that bilateral cooperation across various sectors would strengthen Pakistan-US relations.
The chief minister highlighted that healthcare and education were top priorities for his government, underscoring the significant reforms introduced in these sectors which have improved healthcare and educational outcomes for the people.
According to the statement, he noted, “The entire population of the province now has access to free healthcare services through reputable public and private hospitals registered under the provincial government’s health card scheme.”
Mr. Gandapur also mentioned plans to launch an Education Card similar to the Sehat Card health insurance scheme, aimed at enrolling all out-of-school children and enhancing women’s literacy rates in the province.
He stressed the need for support in providing scholarships for higher education abroad and modern vocational training for talented youth.
The chief minister emphasized the potential for foreign investment in tourism, mining and minerals, agriculture, and hydropower sectors, promising an enabling environment under their ease-of-doing business policy.
Efforts were highlighted towards developing all sectors along modern lines to increase revenue and employment opportunities.
He mentioned ongoing efforts to strengthen the province’s economy post-conflict, with sustainable reforms being legislated.
The visiting delegation praised the provincial government’s reforms in health, education, social sectors, and policing, along with initiatives addressing climate change.
They particularly commended the increase in forest cover to 26 percent and the provision of free healthcare to the entire population of the province.
