Samar announces weekly media interactions to strengthen government-journalist liaison

Adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Information and Public Relations Samar Haroon Bilour on Tuesday announced plans to hold weekly interactions with journalists to share the government’s performance, address media concerns and incorporate constructive feedback into policymaking.
During a visit to the Peshawar Press Club, she met its president, members of the governing cabinet and senior journalists. The discussion covered the provincial security situation, implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP), counterterrorism efforts, police welfare, urban governance and development priorities.
Ms Bilour acknowledged the press club’s longstanding contribution to journalism and public discourse, emphasising the importance of factual reporting, transparency and responsible journalism in strengthening public trust.
She said regular engagement with the media would help improve information-sharing, communicate the work of the Advisory Council and provide an opportunity for journalists to raise public-interest issues.
On the security situation, the adviser called for coordinated efforts by the federal and provincial governments, law enforcement agencies, security institutions, the media and citizens to implement the NAP, counter terrorism and promote lasting peace in KP.
She paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Pakistan Armed Forces, provincial police and journalists, saying the state had a responsibility to support the families of those who lost their lives in the line of duty and ensure that frontline personnel had the equipment, resources and institutional support needed to perform their duties.
Ms Bilour raised concerns about the previous provincial government’s handling of security challenges and the recognition of sacrifices made by law enforcement personnel. She also expressed reservations about the handling of bulletproof vehicles provided by the federal government, stressing that the protection and operational needs of frontline police personnel must remain a priority.
Outlining welfare measures under Governor Faisal Karim Kundi’s leadership, she said 10 armoured vehicles had been provided to the provincial police, while around 55 residential plots had been allocated to families of martyred personnel.
She said initiatives had also been taken to improve police salaries and compensation packages for personnel killed in the line of duty. A dowry assistance fund had been established for the daughters of martyred police personnel, while alternative financial compensation was being planned for eligible families that had not received residential plots.
The adviser stressed that widows and children of martyred personnel should receive their entitled assistance promptly, without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.
Referring to the roof-collapse incident in Peshawar’s Dir Colony, Ms Bilour said the governor and members of the Advisory Council had engaged with affected families and extended assistance for the medical treatment, surgical procedures and healthcare needs of injured children.
She said public institutions should adopt a proactive, people-centred approach to relief and rehabilitation so that affected families could access assistance without navigating complicated administrative procedures.
Discussing urban governance, Ms Bilour said efforts were under way to improve sanitation, drainage, traffic management and the removal of illegal encroachments in Peshawar. Measures were also being pursued to strengthen the performance of Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP) and improve field-level monitoring.
She said anti-encroachment operations would be conducted in accordance with the law, without political interference and with due regard for the legitimate property rights of citizens.
The adviser also highlighted the need for sustained action against drug trafficking and distribution to protect young people from substance abuse. Citing figures shared during the meeting, she said 960 kilogrammes of narcotics had been seized in Peshawar during September 2026.
She called for continued enforcement, coordination among relevant institutions and a zero-tolerance approach to drug trafficking.
Ms Bilour also called for greater attention to development disparities in the merged districts and southern parts of the province, particularly in education, healthcare, infrastructure and essential public services.
She stressed the need to identify underserved communities and establish educational facilities in areas where children lacked adequate access to schools, saying equitable access to public services should remain central to the province’s development priorities.
Responding to issues raised by the press club leadership, she assured its president and governing cabinet that pending matters would be taken up with the relevant authorities and elected representatives.
She said public confidence in government institutions depended on transparent decision-making, accountability and timely action on citizens’ concerns.
Ms Bilour thanked the press club’s leadership and senior journalists for their participation and reaffirmed her commitment to regular engagement with the media to promote transparency, accountability, public welfare and inclusive development across the province.