PESHAWAR: Provincial Minister for Higher Education Mushtaq Ghani replaced Shah Farman as minister for information of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government here on Tuesday.

The former information minister, Shah Farman, still holds the portfolio of public health engineering department.

“Yes, I have taken charge as information minister and hope to be available to media,” said Mr Ghani, who was notified as information minister of provincial government on Tuesday.

Shah Farman, who was holding additional portfolio of information department, was often not available to mediapersons on various occasions to give government’s version or comment on issues relating to the provincial government.

Mr Ghani joined Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) after winning a seat of provincial assembly in the last general elections as an independent candidate.

He was appointed adviser to chief minister and later included in the cabinet and made minister for higher education.

Mr Ghani is the third information minister of the incumbent provincial government.

After coming into power in the province, PTI found it hard to defend the stance of the government on militancy since it avoided coming out clear about militancy, which was one of the major problems of the province. It was a reason that portfolio of information was a hot seat, sources said.

At first when the PTI-led provincial government was formed a year ago, Shaukat Yousafzai was given the portfolio of information as he had worked as editor of a local newspaper.

He was also holding the portfolio of health. However, the minister, who seemed more interested in health ministry was, relieved from the information ministry’ responsibility.

As pressure group within the party grew stronger, PTI reshuffled ministers and inducted some advisers and ministers in the provincial cabinet.

Shaukat Yousafzai, the then health minister, was removed form the cabinet as health ministry was also taken from him in April 2014.

Yaseen Khan, another adviser to chief minister, was also removed for what was called his poor performance.

Mr Ghani told Dawn that he would look into the problems of information department and try to improve its performance. Recently, around 100 employees of the Provincial Information Directorate (PID) were adjusted in other departments including health and environment during a recent right-sizing drive. Around 60 employees are now working in PID.

“The right-sizing is aimed at improving the governance,” said the new information minister.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2014

Opinion

From hard to harder

From hard to harder

Instead of ‘hard state’ turning even harder, citizens deserve a state that goes soft on them in delivering democratic and development aspirations.

Editorial

Canal unrest
Updated 03 Apr, 2025

Canal unrest

With rising water scarcity in Indus system, it is crucial to move towards a consensus-driven policymaking process.
Iran-US tension
03 Apr, 2025

Iran-US tension

THE Trump administration’s threats aimed at Iran do not bode well for global peace, and unless Washington changes...
Flights to history
03 Apr, 2025

Flights to history

MOHENJODARO could have been the forgotten gold we desperately need. Instead, this 5,000-year-old well of antiquity ...
Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
Updated 01 Apr, 2025

Women’s rights

Such judgements, and others directly impacting women’s rights should be given more airtime in media.
Not helping
Updated 02 Apr, 2025

Not helping

If it's committed to peace in Balochistan, the state must draw a line between militancy and legitimate protest.