K-P Chief Minister, Mahmood Khan. PHOTO: RADIO PAKISTAN
PESHAWAR: Having been elected into power with two major development projects pending completion amidst a cash crunch, the provincial government on Tuesday decided to prioritise completion of ongoing developmental projects as part of its annual development programme (ADP) for the fiscal year 2018-19.
This was decided in a meeting chaired by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mehmood Khan to finalise ADP 2018-19.
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The projects prioritised for completion and upgrades include the Swat Motorway — being built in the chief minister’s native Swat district, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project being built in Peshawar, the Chashma Right Bank Left Canal, Gomal Zam Dam, sports grounds and upgrading 200 higher secondary schools throughout the province.
The only addition to these projects was that Chief Minister Mahmood directed for drafting a comprehensive and feasible master plan for the beautification of and uplifting of Peshawar and providing facilities to the residents of the provincial capital.
The meeting was told that of the 1,749 ongoing projects, 135 projects have been completed so far while another 439 projects were in different phases of completion. Once completed, these projects would provide 1,653 different facilities to the public.
Mahmood underlined the need for strengthening the fiscal base of the province for the implementation of developmental plans as spelt out by the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) agenda. In this regard, he directed to complete preparations for the provincial government’s net hydel power and other dues to secure them from the federal government.
The chief minister assured that all the projects near completion, flagship projects and other feasible schemes will be completed to afford maximum relief to the people.
The meeting also approved a move to open new schools in rented buildings.
The chief minister directed that schemes for providing necessary equipment to Basic Health Units (BHUs), including the rehabilitation of BHUs in different parts of the province, must also be included in the ADP.
The meeting also decided to establish burns centres in all divisional headquarters in different phases.
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It also decided to extend the Sehat Insaf Card — the government’s flagship health insurance scheme. Moreover, it decided to improve the infrastructure for the provision of drinking water facilities and creating fiscal space for such projects.
The meeting also decided to give a grant to the provincial information technology board with a focus on the promotional and operationalisation of IT-related activities.
It was further decided to develop some scenic spots throughout the province for tourism. In this regard, it was decided to transfer the Galiyat Development Authority from the Local Government Department to the Culture Department to achieve the targets set for the promotion of tourism as an industry in the province.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the Rashakai Economic Zone and allowed the acquisition of an additional 1,600 acres of land for the economic zone.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 3rd, 2018.
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