Safari Bus Service to be launched in Khyber

CM Mahmood chaired a meeting on the progress made by the task force of tribal districts

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has approved to launch a Safari Bus Service in Khyber district.

While chairing a meeting of the newly merged district’s task force on Thursday, the provincial chief executive directed the tourism department to take necessary steps to start the aforementioned bus service in the short run and take up the case with Pakistan Railways to initiate the launch of a Safari Train Service in the long run.

Matters pertaining to progress made so far on the ongoing developmental schemes, law & order situation, issues related to merger and administrative affairs of tribal districts were also discussed.

Briefing about the major post-merger achievements in Khyber district, officials concerned apprised the forum that the induction of Levies and Khasadar Forces in K-P police has been completed whereas three new police stations have been set up in the district. Besides, 670 police personnel have been imparted training during the last one year.

Briefing the forum about the developmental portfolio of Khyber district, concerned authorities informed the meeting that developmental projects worth Rs75 billion have been reflected in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) and Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP).

It was further informed that the proposed project of Khyber Economic Corridor would be implemented within an estimated cost of Rs76 billion.

Similarly, new tourist destinations have also been proposed to be developed in Khyber, Kurram, South Wazirstan and North Wazirstan that will create thousands of jobs in tourism and allied industries.

The forum was also told about the matrix of proposed Economic Development Plan (EDP) which will be presented for approval in the next task force meeting.

Briefing about the possible outcomes of the proposed economic development plan, the meeting was informed that tremendous employment opportunities would be provided to locals in various sectors whereas around 75,000 individuals would be trained in various vocational skills and 50,000 scholarships were also expected to assist the skill development in various sectors.

While addressing the meeting, CM Mahmood directed authorities to shift the office of District Administration Khyber from Peshawar to Jamrud within the next three weeks and begin land acquisition process for the establishment of a District Complex on the proposed site. He also requested departments concerned to provide a dedicated Tehsildar for Citizen Losses Compensation Package Survey in district Khyber.

The meeting also finalised a plan to construct a 15km long road from Dogra to Mamnori in order to connect Khyber and Orakzai districts. Similarly, the Energy & Power department was directed to carry out a feasibility study for hydropower projects.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2021.