PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has formally institutionalized province-wide monthly e-Khuli Kacheries under the “Awam Ka Ehsaas” framework, making direct public access to authorities a mandatory governance obligation rather than a symbolic exercise. The decision was approved by the Provincial Cabinet in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi. Following the Cabinet’s approval, a formal communication has been issued from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Peshawar, to all Provincial Ministers, Advisors, Special Assistants, and Administrative Secretaries, directing them to ensure the regular conduct of monthly e-Khuli Kacheries within their respective departments and formations. Under the directive, monthly e-Khuli Kacheries will be held across 23 provincial departments and their 69 attached, autonomous, and semi-autonomous entities. The initiative binds all departments to ensure transparent, timely, and effective redressal of public grievances. Performance related to the conduct of these sessions and the resolution of complaints will be reviewed on a quarterly basis to ensure measurable accountability. The Chief Minister has directed Administrative Secretaries, heads of attached formations, and field officers to formally commence regular e-Khuli Kacheries from March 1 this year. To ensure uniform and effective implementation, a special awareness session on Standard Operating Procedures will be organized at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi described the initiative as a key strategy for strengthening public engagement and promoting good governance. He stated that the forums would provide citizens with direct access to concerned Ministers and officials, enabling prompt administrative and policy-level action on public complaints. Relevant officers will appear before the public, listen to grievances, and issue necessary directions on the spot to minimize delays in service delivery. The official communication further emphasizes that the initiative is designed to advance transparency, impartial administration, and institutional responsiveness. By formalizing the mechanism through Cabinet approval and quarterly performance review, the government has embedded public engagement within the administrative structure rather than treating it as a discretionary exercise. It is pertinent to mention that the Chief Minister has already launched online Khuli Kacheries from his office under the banner “Aap Ka Wazir-e-Aala Aap Ke Saath,” the first phase of which has been successfully completed. In line with the Cabinet decision, all Cabinet members and Administrative Secretaries are now bound to replicate this model at the departmental level to effectively identify and resolve service delivery bottlenecks. Provincial Ministers, Advisors, and Special Assistants will preside over sector-specific sessions within their respective domains to directly assess policy-level challenges and administrative weaknesses. By mandating structured monthly engagement at every tier of governance, the government has reinforced a model of administration rooted in accessibility, accountability, and measurable performance. The institutionalization of e-Khuli Kacheries marks a structured shift toward citizen-centered governance, ensuring that elected representatives and administrative authorities remain directly answerable to the people. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026