PESHAWAR: Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, has directed all provincial departments to finalise the PC-1 documents for development schemes proposed under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2026–27 by June 2026.
He emphasized that the upcoming ADP will serve as a comprehensive roadmap for the province’s inclusive and sustainable development, with special priority accorded to underdeveloped districts.
He issued these directions while chairing an important meeting of the Planning and Development Department via video link from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, Islamabad.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister stated that the ADP 2026–27 will be designed to promote balanced development across the province, ensuring that historically neglected districts receive focused attention.
He added that the upcoming development portfolio will prioritize public safety and law and order, employment generation, education, healthcare, and the provision of essential public services and infrastructure.
The meeting was briefed in detail on fund releases and expenditures under the ADP 2025–26, as well as on the preliminary framework for the ADP 2026–27.
Participants were informed that no funds have so far been released by the federal government during the current fiscal year for the Accelerated Development Programme for the merged districts. However, the provincial government has allocated and released Rs 29.6 billion for development schemes under the programme to sustain ongoing development activities in the merged districts.
The meeting was further informed that 67 percent of the funds released under the ADP 2025–26 have already been utilized. It was also briefed that 218 high-priority projects are expected to be completed during the next fiscal year.
Under the proposed ADP 2026–27, approximately 80 percent of the allocation will be dedicated to ongoing projects, while 20 percent will be reserved for new development initiatives.
The meeting was informed that the upcoming ADP will include ‘Rs 1 trillion Roshan Qabail Package’ for the merged districts aimed at accelerating socio-economic development in the region.
Key proposed initiatives under the programme include the establishment of a Health City, afforestation under the Ehsaas Jungle Programme, a Tribal Medical College, virtual classrooms, bag free schools, the introduction of Artificial Intelligence in school curricula, the establishment of a Tribal University, and an Integrated Development Package for Upper Chitral.
Additional initiatives include the expansion of the Panagah network, expansion of the Zamung Kor network, and establishment of dedicated schools for children with special needs.
The programme also proposes a self-employment scheme for persons with disabilities, the Khyber Safari Train project, expansion of the Bus Rapid Transit system to divisional headquarters, completion of Safe City projects, and the establishment of a Cyber Security Operations Centre.
The meeting was attended by Provincial Minister for Finance Muzammil Aslam, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations Shafi Jan, Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, Additional Chief Secretary Planning and Development Islam Zeb, and administrative secretaries of the relevant departments.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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