K-P to soon start implementing NMTD projects

Mahmood launches outreach campaign in Khyber

PESHAWAR: To address their grievances and quell reports of discontent, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Friday formally launched a public outreach campaign in the Khyber Tribal District.

The programme aims to inform residents of the tribal district about bout ongoing and upcoming developmental initiatives in the area and to familiarise them about the delivery mechanism of projects while listening to feedback to ensure that all initiatives reflect the aspirations of the people.

Addressing the inaugural session of the outreach campaign in Landi Kotal Tehsil on Friday, CM Mahmood announced that the campaign will continue daily in the Newly Merged Tribal Districts (NMTDs).

Reiterating that the provincial government is committed for actively pursuing its development agenda for the tribal districts, he said that the earmarked budget of Rs83 billion will be spent for the uplift of the erstwhile federally administered tribal areas (Fata).

“All the promises made with the tribal people will be fulfilled,” he promised, adding that planning process for projects has been completed.

“We are now moving towards the implementation phase to make sure that the people of NMTDs get their long-overdue share in development schemes,” Mahmood said.

“If all the stakeholders are on the same page, the 10-year development journey would be completed in five years,” he added.

The chief minister clarified that they will fast track development in the merged areas while judicious utilization of resources will be ensured.

He further announced that soon, the government will start paying stipends to the children of martyrs, while locals will be recruited for vacancies in the NMTDs.

Earlier, the Khyber Tribal District Deputy Commissioner briefed participants about the ongoing and upcoming development initiatives of the provincial government for the Khyber Tribal District.

He said that Rs55.44 billion have been approved for the establishment of the Peshawar-Torkham Expressway which will not only provide travelling facilities to people but will also boost trade and economic activities in the region.

Further, economic zones will be set up in the district as part of this project. To provide modern facilities at Torkham border, an Integrated Transit Trade Management System will be established at an estimated cost of Rs16 billion.

Under the Insaf Rozgar Scheme, some 568 domicile holders of Khyber District have been provided with Rs110 million to start their own businesses. Another 508 beneficiaries have benefitted through the Kamyab Jawan Scheme.

Under the Sehat Sahulat Programme, all residents of the tribal districts can now avail free healthcare facilities of up to Rs720,000 from reputed hospitals per year.

Other major health schemes include the Pak-Afghan Friendship Hospital at Torkham, moreover, Rs240 million have been approved for the establishment of a Type-D Hospital in Tirah Bagh Maidan, Rs170 million for the second phase of the hospital being built in Bazaar Zakha Khel, Rs60 million for a trauma and emergency centre, Rs42 million for strengthening the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) and Rs110 million for 20 Civil Dispensaries.

In the education sector, Rs2.4 million have been approved for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of fully damaged schools in Bara and Rs278 million for upgrading educational institutions to high school and higher secondary schools.

Similarly, Rs169 million have been approved for Establishment of GGDC Bara apart from a host of other projects.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2020.