Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has called for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government's greater attention to the development and public welfare in the province.

Addressing a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club in Peshawar today, he said the government resources in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa belong to the people and should be used for public welfare rather than protests.

He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has been receiving its share under the NFC Award every year during the counter-terrorism period.

Attaullah Tarar said sixteen years had been passed since the NFC Award came into effect. He questioned as to where billions of rupees allocated for maintaining law and order in the province had been spent.

Talking about the significance of the Peshawar Press Club, the Information Minister said this club has a unique standing and journalists in the city have rendered great sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

He proposed preparing a database of journalists and media workers who lost their lives while performing their professional duties. He said a comprehensive mechanism will also be developed for the welfare of journalists and media workers who were martyred or died during service.

Attaullah Tarar stressed the need to pay special attention to the families of deceased journalists and media workers. He also said health insurance should be introduced for journalists in Peshawar.

He appreciated the Peshawar Press Club's balanced policy regarding the national narrative.

Referring to Radio Pakistan Peshawar, the Information Minister said the building, set ablaze on May 9, has been fully restored and made operational on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

He said the doors of Radio Pakistan are open to journalists and media persons in Peshawar who can use its studios to record podcasts and v-logs. He further said podcast and other studios should be made available to local journalists.

Attaullah Tarar recalled that the late Abdullah Jan had announced the creation of Pakistan in Pashto from Radio Pakistan Peshawar.

He said Radio Pakistan continues to play an important role in providing information to the public.

The Minister said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa needed greater focus on construction, development and public welfare. He said the incumbent government has been in power in the province for around twelve and a half years and there is a lack of development, which requires attention.

Regarding the political situation, Attaullah Tarar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had spoken by telephone with Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman.

Answering a question, the Minister said the Islamabad High Court has issued clear directions that movement of citizens should not be disrupted.

He said a single sit-in can cause traders losses amounting to 120 billion rupees.