Governor pushes for faster Peshawar uplift

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Thursday chaired a high-level review meeting on the Peshawar Uplift Development Plan and directed officials to ensure the effective and timely implementation of development projects so that the provincial capital can be transformed into a clean, modern and beautiful city.

The meeting was attended by Adviser to the Governor on Finance Tariq Mahmood Pasha, Adviser to the Governor on Local Government Asif Rafiq, Chief Secretary Dr Muhammad Fakhare Alam Irfan, Additional Chief Secretary Planning and Development Aslam Zeb, Secretary Finance Muhammad Ayaz, Secretary Local Government Zafarul Islam, Secretary Communication and Works Saqib Raza Aslam, Director General Peshawar Development Authority Mian Behzad Adil and other senior officials.

Officials presented a detailed progress report on ongoing schemes under the Peshawar Uplift Development Plan and the Annual Development Programme. The briefing covered construction of underpasses and flyovers, development of theme parks, and other civic infrastructure projects aimed at improving traffic flow and public amenities in the city.

The meeting also reviewed progress on the Budhni Nullah project, modernisation of slaughterhouses, establishment and upgrading of food and vegetable markets, water supply schemes and the broader K-P Cities Improvement Project. Discussions further extended to initiatives related to forests, archaeology, restoration of the historic Peshawar Walled City, road networks and irrigation works.

Specific attention was given to the expansion of the road from Saint Mary's School to the Northern Bypass and the proposed construction of a flyover at Faqirabad on Charsadda Road, both of which are expected to ease congestion in key corridors of the city.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Kundi emphasised the need for better urban planning, particularly the provision of adequate parking facilities across Peshawar. He directed the relevant departments to identify important development schemes on a priority basis so that funds could be released without delay.

"Peshawar is the provincial capital and it must be developed into a modern city that meets contemporary urban requirements," the Governor said. He stressed that effective execution of development projects was essential for the overall uplift of the city and improvement in the quality of life of its residents.

Governor Kundi also issued specific instructions to the Forest Department, directing it to prepare a comprehensive strategy for obtaining carbon credits. He noted that such a plan would enable the people of the northern districts to benefit from the environmental and economic advantages of carbon trading.

Officials assured the Governor that work on priority projects would be accelerated and that coordination among departments would be strengthened to remove bottlenecks. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to turn Peshawar into a model provincial capital that balances heritage preservation with modern infrastructure and sustainable urban growth.