Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan. PHOTO: PTI
The money saved is expected to be redirected for development projects in the province.
This was announced by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mehmood Khan as he chaired a host of meetings at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
Talking about the austerity measures, the chief minister said that his administration was taking all possible step which would ensure the financial independence of the province. He further said that they have drafted a long-term strategic plan to achieve self-sufficiency and for long-lasting development in all parts of the province.
However, for this purpose, he urged public representatives to extend their support for the project.
“Transparent governance could prove to be the first step towards a better future,” he said, adding that they were trying to make merit-based decisions and giving organisations independence making them answerable to the public.
With the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) already spending the past five years in power in K-P, Mehmood said that they have learnt from their past mistakes and that there was no further space for making mistakes. Noting that they were working to resolve issues faced by the public, Mehmood said that they will also establish a communication, coordination and implementation cell in the secretariat which will coordinate with all government departments to resolve public complaints.
The cell will be empowered to implement decisions and would keep the chief minister informed about implementations accordingly.
Mehmood further said that they have prepared a strategy to draw maximum benefits from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). “Opportunities for investment and industrialisation are being created,” he claimed, adding that his government was trying to plan one mega project for every district of the province.
Moreover, efforts were underway to promote domestic industries and preparing skilled manpower across the province.
Further, natural resources such as oil, gas and minerals were being explored. Moreover, the chief minister said, the province was replete which tourism opportunities in Swat, Malakand and Hazara districts along with some of the newly merged tribal districts.
In this regard, he said that as many as 20 new tourist sites have been identified in various regions of the province which will be developed.
In light of the growing economic activities, the communication system in the province was being improved which would help promote tourism and support transfer of goods from central Asia.
Leishmaniasis cases
Mehmood has directed health authorities of the province to take notice of the Leishmania outbreak and take the necessary steps to control its spread in the province.
The directives were issued while reviewing complaints from the public representative about the disease.
The K-P chief minister directed the concerned authorities to collect complete data about the disease.
Rahman Baba graveyard
The K-P chief minister has taken serious notice of the illegal occupation of land in the Rahman Baba graveyard in Beri Bagh area of Akhoonabad.
He directed the district administration to take immediate action against illegal occupants and added that possession of the occupied land should be acquired with immediate effect.
KP devises plan for development of tribal districts
K-P Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has said his government has chalked out a comprehensive plan for the overall development and prosperity of the erstwhile tribal areas.
He said this during a briefing given by Advisor to Chief Minister on Merged Districts Ajmal Wazir in Peshawar.
The CM said the tribal region was becoming a hub for economic activities which will lead to economic stability in these districts.
Mehmood said that he would soon visit Waziristan and announce major development projects in the communication sector there, including the launch of 3G and 4G internet services for the area.
WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM DNA
Published in The Express Tribune, February 25th, 2019.
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