Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday said it is the responsibility of the government to support the people during the ongoing energy crisis and rising petrol prices.

Addressing a cabinet meeting, Afridi emphasised that in difficult times, the privileges of rulers and state institutions should be reduced. He said relief should be provided to the public by cutting protocol and government expenses.

“In Pakistan, the people are often targeted at the time of sacrifice; this attitude should change,” he added. Afridi recalled that during the tenure of the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), relief was extended to the public and businesses despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

KP CM said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government would oppose any decision that places a burden on the people. He praised the district administration and members of the assembly for effectively running the Ehsaas Ramadan Dastarkhwan program, which is benefiting a large number of deserving people.

The chief minister also directed the establishment of Ehsaas Mazdoor Shelters at divisional headquarters for labourers, calling for the provision of shade, drinking water, and food in the shelters.

In a separate decision, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet approved a 50 per cent work-from-home policy for government offices and mandated that meetings in government departments be conducted entirely virtually.