Chief Minister Sohail Afridi says merit-based hiring, inclusivity, and institutional reform remain central to governance as new prison wardens are inducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Peshawar: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi on Wednesday addressed a ceremony organized by the Home and Prisons Department for newly recruited jail wardens, congratulating the appointees and expressing confidence in their ability to perform their duties with dedication and professionalism.
He said the newly inducted wardens should serve with commitment and integrity, adding that the government expects them to uphold discipline within the prison system and contribute to institutional improvement.
Afridi stated that under the vision of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the provincial government has ensured merit and transparency in all recruitment processes. He emphasized that he personally did not know any of the newly appointed wardens, reinforcing that no recommendations or political influence were involved in the hiring process.
“No one can claim that they used influence or contacted anyone for these appointments,” he said, reiterating that the process remained strictly merit-based and transparent. He added that anyone with concerns regarding recruitment could approach the Chief Minister’s Office directly.
The chief minister highlighted broader recruitment initiatives across the province, noting that 16,000 teachers are being hired through the Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA) on merit. He also said that the recruitment of 2,400 doctors is currently underway to address shortages in the healthcare sector.
Afridi said he is personally supervising the hiring process of doctors and made it clear that there will be no compromise on merit and transparency in any department.
He further said that gender equality has been ensured in line with the vision of Imran Khan, pointing to the appointment of two transgender individuals as a practical example of inclusive governance.
The chief minister added that efforts are ongoing to provide equal opportunities to minorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and directed that remaining quota-based appointments for minorities and transgender persons be completed with procedural flexibility.
He instructed authorities to ensure that newly recruited staff face no hurdles regarding training or other essential requirements.
Afridi said that providing facilities to prisoners remains a priority of the provincial government. He added that initiatives such as virtual courts and web-based hearings have improved security conditions and resulted in significant resource savings.
He also announced that anti-drone systems will be introduced for prisons in the upcoming annual development program to strengthen security infrastructure.
The chief minister praised relevant departments for maintaining merit and transparency throughout the recruitment process and reaffirmed that the provincial government remains committed to institutional reforms, inclusivity, and efficient governance.
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