Staff reporter
Peshawar:
Peshawar Press Club and Alkhidmat Foundation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at promoting the welfare, healthcare, education, and professional capacity-building of journalists and their families. The signing ceremony was held at the Peshawar Press Club.
The ceremony was attended by President of Peshawar Press Club M. Riaz, Vice President and Chairman Education Committee Zia-ul-Haq, General Secretary Alamgir Khan, governing body members Shamim Shahid, Saif-ul-Islam Saifi, and Nasir Hussain. President of Alkhidmat Foundation KP Khalid Waqas Chamkani, Provincial Media Manager Noor-ul-Wahid Jadoon, other officials of the foundation, and a large number of journalists were also present.
Under the agreement, Alkhidmat Foundation will provide healthcare and diagnostic facilities to journalists and their families at Alkhidmat hospitals on special discounts. Three additional diseases have been included in the medical coverage. Free treatment for thalassemia will be provided to members’ children and any family member suffering from the condition. Children of members with speech and hearing impairments will be provided hearing aids worth over Rs. 300,000.
General OPD services will be free for members of the Press Club and their families, while a 50 percent discount will be offered on all diagnostic tests conducted within the hospital. A 30 percent discount will be provided for consultations with specialist doctors visiting from outside the city, whereas in-house specialist doctors at Alkhidmat hospitals will examine members and their families free of charge. A 10 percent discount will be given on medicines, admission fees will be fully waived, and major surgeries will be offered at a 30 percent discount. Wheelchairs will also be provided to deserving journalists and their family members.
Important decisions were also made in the fields of education and professional training. Under the “Bano Qabil” program, journalists and their children will receive free training in e-commerce, video editing, digital marketing, and graphic designing with the support of Alkhidmat Foundation. Children aged 10 years and above will be eligible for enrollment in these courses.
Special prizes will be awarded to children of members who secure first, second, or third positions in any examination board. Children of deceased journalists will receive free education up to the intermediate level. This facility will also be available to children of media-related supporting staff. Admission to Alkhidmat Foundation schools will be free for members’ children, along with a 50 percent fee concession.
A special quota will be allocated for journalists’ children in mass wedding ceremonies organized by Alkhidmat Foundation. During floods or any natural disasters, training sessions will be arranged to enhance journalists’ professional skills, and safety kits and essential equipment will be provided. In emergency situations, journalists on duty outside their stations will also be provided accommodation and meals.
Speaking on the occasion, President M. Riaz termed the MoU a significant development and appreciated the efforts of the Education Committee headed by Vice President Zia-ul-Haq. He reaffirmed the commitment to expanding similar collaborations with other reputable institutions to further enhance the welfare and facilities of the club’s members.
