PESHAWAR: The dispute between the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and its coalition partner in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Jamaat-i-Islami, over cabinet portfolios in the province ended on Tuesday when the latter withdrew its ‘claim’ on the education ministry.

“At PTI chairman Imran Khan’s request, we have decided to let his party lead the education department in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” JI leader and provincial finance minister Sirajul Haq told a news conference here.

Flanked by PTI provincial general secretary Shaukat Ali Yousafzai, Mr Haq said JI would have three ministries, including those of local government, Zakat and Usher, and religious affairs in the province.

Initially, the PTI leadership had agreed to give the education ministry in the next coalition government to JI but later changed its stand saying education and health care are on the party’s priority list and therefore, it should be allowed to implement its programme by holding the two ministries.

The JI leader said his party had never sought the education department from PTI but it was the latter’s leadership, which had decided about it in previous meetings.

“We have sent a proposal to the chief minister to form a consultative commission to review changes made to curriculum during the last Awami National Party-led government,” he said.

He said the commission should have representatives of all partners of the ruling coalition.

Mr Haq said his party had declined the PTI offer to get the communication and works ministry as it didn’t have experts in the area.

“Our party had also asked PTI to establish universities in Buner and Upper Dir districts and a medical college in Lower Dir district,” he said.

The JI leader said his party had asked PTI to take it on board about the future amendments to curriculum and other policy matters regarding education.

Regarding the US drone strikes in Fata, he said the provincial government would support policy of the federal government meant to check illegal attacks.

On the occasion, Shaukat Yousafzai of PTI said a 12-member cabinet would take the oath on next Thursday.

He said prior to that, meetings would be held other coalition parties to sort out the matter and that there was no differences over ministries within PTI.

Mr Yousafzai said PTI had requested JI to leave the education ministry to it as it had experience and expertise to efficiently run the ministry and thus, benefiting the people of the province. He said the new government would fulfil its reform agenda in collaboration with coalition partners.

The PTI leader said all coalition parties were in agreement to resolve the people’s problems. He said representatives of the government would meet the speaker of the provincial assembly on Wednesday to finalise a date for the budget session.