Afridi sets deadline for 2026-27 PC-1 completion

Prioritises backward districts, merged areas in ambitious Roshan Qabail package

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has instructed all provincial departments to finalize the PC-1 documents for development schemes included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2026-27 by June 2026.

He described the upcoming ADP as a comprehensive roadmap for the province's multi-dimensional progress, with backward districts and merged areas receiving top priority.

Chairing a key meeting of the Planning and Development Department via video link from Peshawar House in Islamabad, CM Afridi emphasized that new development initiatives would focus on law and order, employment generation, education, health, and provision of basic amenities.

The meeting received a detailed briefing on funds released and expenditures under the current ADP 2025-26, as well as the preliminary draft of the next fiscal year's programme. Officials informed the participants that the federal government has not yet released any funds for the Accelerated Implementation Programme in the merged districts during the ongoing financial year.

Despite this, the provincial government has allocated and released Rs29.6 billion for development schemes under the programme.

It was further reported that 67 per cent of the funds released so far under the 2025-26 ADP have been utilized.

For the 2026-27 ADP, authorities outlined plans to complete 218 high-priority projects during the next financial year. The programme will allocate 80 per cent of funds to ongoing schemes, while 20 per cent will be earmarked for new initiatives.

A standout feature of the forthcoming ADP is the Rs1,000 billion Roshan Qabail package dedicated to the merged districts, aimed at accelerating uplift and integration efforts in these areas.

Among other prominent projects highlighted are the establishment of a Health City, the Ehsaas Jungle Programme for environmental conservation, the founding of a Tribal Medical College, introduction of virtual classrooms, bag-free schools, incorporation of Artificial Intelligence into school curricula, establishment of a Tribal University, an integrated development package for Upper Chitral, expansion of the Panahgah shelter network, strengthening of the Zamaung Kor welfare network, setting up schools for special children, self-employment schemes for persons with disabilities, the Khyber Safari Train, extension of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to divisional headquarters, completion of Safe Cities projects, and the establishment of a Cyber Security Operations Centre.