Rs200b uplift package unveiled for Hazara

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting with parliamentarians from Hazara Division at Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad, unveiling ambitious development initiatives aimed at accelerating progress in the region and addressing long-standing public needs.

The session, attended by the Speaker of the Assembly along with elected members of the National and Provincial Assemblies from Hazara, focused on two key priorities: infrastructure improvements and the formulation of the upcoming Annual Development Programme (ADP).

A major highlight was the demand for dualisation of the Haripur-Mansehra section of the Grand Trunk (GT) Road, a vital federal highway under the control of the National Highway Authority (NHA). Chief Minister Afridi announced that the provincial government would extend full financial support and cooperation to the project, underscoring the administration's commitment to easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity for commuters and businesses in the division.

In a significant announcement, Afridi revealed a special comprehensive development package worth Rs200 billion exclusively for Hazara Division. Of this amount, Rs50 billion will be earmarked specifically for tourism-related projects, designed to capitalise on the region's abundant natural beauty, scenic landscapes, and established tourist destinations. The initiative aims to create employment opportunities, promote sustainable growth, and position Hazara as a premier tourism hub in the province.

The Chief Minister emphasised that planning for the next fiscal year's development would mark a departure from past approaches, prioritising large-scale, high-impact projects of public importance. He stressed the need for swift completion of ongoing schemes to deliver immediate relief to citizens.

To ensure inclusive and need-based planning, Afridi directed officials to convene a separate consultative session with Hazara parliamentarians to solicit proposals for inclusion in the special package. This collaborative process, he said, would help design practical, sustainable initiatives aligned with local priorities and requirements.

Afridi also announced that the notification granting district status to Allai would be issued shortly. The move is expected to decentralise administrative functions, bring governance closer to the people, and enhance service delivery at the grassroots level.

Reaffirming the provincial government's focus on core sectors, the Chief Minister reiterated commitment to substantial investments in health and education, in line with the vision of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founding chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.