PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa caretaker government has approved amendments to Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961, to include oath of finality of Prophethood in the marriage registration form.

The decision was made in the meeting of provincial cabinet here on Tuesday. The meeting, presided over by caretaker Chief Minister Mohammad Azam Khan, was attended by the cabinet members, Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry and administrative secretaries, according to a statement issued here on Wednesday.

An official told Dawn that local government department had moved a summary for changing rules for marriage certificate. Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, while hearing a writ petition had directed for amendments to Nikah Form. The directives were communicated to all the chief secretaries for amending the rules.

Besides, the official said, a joint resolution passed by the provincial assembly asked to insert “Khatm-i-Nabuwat Oath” in Nikah Nama (marriage registration form) of the West Pakistan Rules under the Muslim Family Law Ordinance, 1961.

KP cabinet also approves subsidised loans for youth and SMEs

The statement said that caretaker cabinet also granted approval for providing subsidised loans to youth and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Bank of Khyber will offer further concessions on these loan schemes with favourable terms.

Representatives from Bank of Khyber also briefed the cabinet regarding loans for SMEs and youth provided by State Bank of Pakistan, the province’s involvement in such initiatives and the resulting benefits.

Documents available with Dawn show that the provincial government intends to extend support to SMEs by subsidising loans to this sector in the existing State Bank of Pakistan’s scheme due to current economic conditions.

The documents said that under the programme, the provincial government would further subsidise the mark-up cost payable by borrowers beyond the level already provided in the existing SMEs schemes offered by SBP or federal government.

The initiative is aimed at further reducing the burden of mark-up on beneficiaries and will give impetus to economy. It will kick start the much needed economic activities as SMEs are facing severe financial crunch.

A senior government official, requesting anonymity, told Dawn that the subsidised loans would cost the province about Rs246 million throughout the period when the subsidy would be disbursed.

Through the initiative, the interest rates for borrowers and institutions will become affordable.

During the meeting, the provincial cabinet approved allocation of two-kanal and six marlas piece of land for establishment of a public library in Parachinar, Upper Kurram. The construction of a 13.5-kanal judicial complex in Sarai Norang, Lukki Marwat, was also endorsed.

The cabinet approved review of budget estimates allocated to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Housing Authority for the year 2022-23 along with the budget estimates for 2023-24. It also approved the delegation of enforcement powers to all tehsil municipal administrations (TMAs) and the assignment of controlling officer powers to relevant assistant commissioners.

The cabinet did not approve at-source deduction of $88.673 million debt owed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the funds received from federal government for polio eradication.

The cabinet also did not approve payment of provincial government’s share of $155 million loan for future use. Punjab province has opposed such conditions of federal government.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2023