Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Caretaker Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan has emphasized the critical need for enhanced cooperation from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and other partner organizations in the Newly Merged Districts (NMDs).
Chief Minister Khan pointed out that the people of the NMDs have endured years of suffering due to prolonged militancy, resulting in these regions significantly lagging behind other parts of the country in terms of development.
He stressed the urgency of both the government and donor agencies focusing their efforts, particularly on basic infrastructure development, to bring the NMDs on par with the rest of the province.
During a meeting with a delegation from UNDP, led by its Resident Representative, Samuel Rizk, Chief Minister Khan discussed various public welfare programs under the UNDP portfolio in great detail. They also explored the possibilities of expanding collaboration between the provincial government and UNDP across different social sectors.
Chief Minister Khan commended UNDP for its continuous financial and technical support to the provincial government in various social sectors. He expressed his hope that this collaboration and cooperation would continue into the future. He underscored the significance of the merger of ex-FATA into the K-P province and urged UNDP to broaden its scope of collaboration in these areas to expedite the development of these previously marginalized districts.
Additionally, Chief Minister Khan highlighted the urgent need to strengthen the police infrastructure in these areas to improve the law and order situation. He suggested that UNDP engage in rural development programs in the province, including the NMDs, with active participation from the local community to ensure the sustainability of these initiatives.
Addressing a growing concern, Chief Minister Khan emphasized the rise in drug use among the young generation in the province. He urged UNDP to collaborate on both preventive and treatment measures to address this pressing issue.
Chief Minister Khan assured that the caretaker provincial government would provide full support to UNDP for the execution of its public welfare initiatives in the province.
In response, UNDP’s Resident Representative, Samuel Rizk, commended the provincial government for its support in implementing UNDP programs.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 6th, 2023.
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