As part of the ongoing consultative sessions with elected public representatives aimed at preparing the development program for the new fiscal year at the divisional level, a significant meeting was held in Peshawar on Friday.
The session, chaired by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, focused on finalizing the Annual Development Program (ADP) for the Kohat Division for the upcoming fiscal year.
Members of the National and Provincial Assemblies from all five districts of the division attended the meeting, along with the Chief Minister's Advisor on Finance, senior officials from the Planning and Development Department, and the Kohat divisional administration.
During the session, participants reviewed the progress of ongoing development projects across Kohat Division, as well as the current status of fund allocations.
On this occasion, relevant officials provided detailed, sector-wise briefings on the implementation status of development projects underway in the region.
The meeting also included comprehensive presentations on the proposed projects slated for inclusion in the forthcoming ADP.
Chief Minister Gandapur instructed officials to allocate 100 per cent of the required funds in the next budget for projects that are nearing completion, underscoring that the timely completion of these ongoing initiatives would be a top priority in the upcoming fiscal cycle.
He stated that 80 per cent of the development funds for the next fiscal year will be allocated to existing projects, while new initiatives addressing pressing public needs would also be considered for inclusion in the development program.
"The new projects are being finalized in close consultation with the relevant elected public representatives," the Chief Minister remarked.
He directed officials to prepare feasibility studies and PC-1s for new projects in a timely manner, emphasizing that drinking water supply schemes in the southern districts should be prioritized in the upcoming development plan.
In addition, the Chief Minister directed that all tube well solarization projects should receive full funding in the new budget. He also urged elected representatives to submit proposals promptly for establishing schools and colleges currently operating in rented buildings within their constituencies.
He called for special attention to be paid to healthcare projects in remote and underserved areas.
The Chief Minister stressed that no district should be left without a District Headquarters Hospital and no tehsil without a Tehsil Headquarters Hospital.
He further instructed the relevant departments to work towards improving service delivery standards in existing healthcare facilities.
The meeting also discussed issues concerning the use of royalty funds from oil and gas-producing districts within Kohat Division. Chief Minister Gandapur announced that in the upcoming budget, Kohat Division would receive 100 per cent of its due royalty share.
He also revealed that special development packages would be included in the ADP for the tribal areas of Kurram District that have played a vital role in supporting the government's efforts to restore peace and stability.
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