‘Ex-FATA development top priority’
Chief Minister K-P Mahmood Khan
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has said that the provincial government is working beyond its capacity by spending billions of rupees from the provincial kitty to sustain the developmental initiatives in erstwhile Fata despite the fact that the federal government is reluctant to release funds.
He added that public-friendly policies, sincere leadership and investment in human capital by the PTI provincial government put the province on development path.
K-P province will not only play a greater role in the national economy but will also become a role model for the establishment of an Islamic welfare state in the near future, he observed.
The government has adopted a comprehensive strategy for uniform development of the province to ensure long-term and sustainable development.
In a statement issued from the Chief Minister secretariat, Mahmood Khan maintained that despite daunting challenges, his government made the merger of the tribal districts a success story and launched a comprehensive development strategy to compensate for decades of exploitation of the tribal people.
However, the stoppage of development funds and other budgeted transfers by the federal cabinet has raised serious concerns and fears of continued exploitation resurfaced among the people of the merged districts.
He stressed that the federal government should fulfill its responsibilities and honor its commitments by providing the due financial share on a priority basis.
Non-payment or delay of development funds for merged districts is causing financial problems for the provincial government and is setting back the development of the ex-Fata.
The chief minister said that we can never be successful without uniform development of the entire province, for which investment in every district and sector is indispensable. Short-term measures are imperative to provide immediate relief to the people, which are a permanent part of the provincial government’s strategy.
However, long-term planning is essential for all time solution of basic issues and sustainable development.
The incumbent provincial government has adopted long-term initiatives in all sectors which are yielding positive results and the PTI government has developed tourism as key industry due to which K-P has become a tourist destination not only for domestic but also for international tourists, which will strengthen the country’s economy in the near future.
Similarly, several steps have been taken for the development of the industrial sector on modern lines along with undertaking reforms to provide a conducive business environment and attract investors.
The provincial government has not only rehabilitated sick industrial units but has also taken steps for the establishment of new industrial zones.
Mahmood Khan maintained that development of the industrial sector guarantees greater employment opportunities, and ease of doing business has made the province a favorite destination for national and international investors seeking the establishment of small and large industrial units.
Touching upon the initiatives taken in the education and health sectors, the chief minister said that deficiencies of staff and other resources in government schools and hospitals have been addressed due to which service delivery has improved significantly.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 12th, 2022.