Afridi drives K-P irrigation overhaul

CM orders command-area expansion and fast-tracks welfare measures for vulnerable citizens

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Monday ordered the Irrigation Department to immediately draft a comprehensive plan to expand the province's cultivable command area, declaring food security a top government priority.

Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Chief Minister's Secretariat, Afridi instructed officials to introduce a modern asset management system, complete GIS mapping of the entire canal network and fully digitise departmental operations, including abiana (water rate) collection, to enhance transparency and efficiency.

"Expanding the command area is essential for ensuring food security," the chief minister said, directing the immediate filling of all vacant posts in the department and an end to the practice of "on-pay scale" appointments.

He also called for a robust flood contingency plan backed by GPS coordinates and video documentation of canal cleaning and maintenance work.

The meeting was informed that 2.412 million acres are currently under cultivation across the province. Small dams constructed to date have brought 321,000 acres into the command area, while 24 under-construction dams are expected to add another 61,000 acres upon completion. Afridi ordered strict adherence to timelines for these projects, emphasising that new water storage is critical to meet the needs of a growing population. He further directed authorities to accelerate development of tourism facilities around completed dams.

Provincial Minister for Irrigation Riaz Khan and senior officials attended the briefing, which also covered ongoing development schemes, administrative matters, legal frameworks and budgetary allocations.

In a separate public-engagement session held the same day, Chief Minister Afridi invited differently-abled persons, ailing citizens and residents of shelter homes to the Secretariat. He heard their grievances personally and issued on-spot orders for resolution.

Special instructions were given to expedite treatment for patients awaiting eye and cardiac procedures. The chief minister assured priority handling of issues faced by persons with disabilities and directed immediate action on complaints raised by shelter-home residents.

Addressing the visitors, Afridi reiterated that his government's mandate is to serve the people, following a welfare-oriented model inspired by the vision of PTI Founding Chairman Imran Khan and the principles of the State of Madina.

During the interaction, the provincial topper of the MDCAT examination also called on the chief minister, who congratulated the student and announced full government sponsorship of his higher education expenses. The visiting citizens expressed gratitude for the chief minister's swift intervention.