CM directs for efficiency in implementation of development projects in merged districts

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has directed the P&D Department to ensure efficiency in timely and speedy implementation of development projects in the newly merged tribal districts so that people could immediately start reaping the benefits of the merger.

Mahmood Khan further directed to ensure speedy provision of loans under the Insaf Rozgar Scheme with special emphasis on areas that had been affected the most by militancy and military operations.

These directives were issued by the chief minister while chairing a progress review meeting on the 8 months performance of the Planning and Development department.

The meeting was also attended by Chief Secretary Muhammad Saleem Khan, Additional Chief Secretary Dr Shehzad Khan Bangash, Principal Secretary to the chief minister Shahab Ali Shah and other high ranking officials.

The CM directed the P&D department to submit a monthly progress report on the pattern of PMRU pointing out the current and achieved status of the quick impact and other development projects.

He directed the P&D department to finalize development scheme in the upcoming budget for providing monthly stipends to degree holder students in the newly merged districts.

P&D department was also directed to follow up on all the announcements made by the Prime Minister and the CM during their visits to the newly merged tribal districts, adding that progress on the announcements should be submitted on regular basis.

While briefing the chief minister on the achievements of P&D department, Dr Shehzad Khan Bangash stated that under the approved Rs 20.4 billion ADP budget, for the year 2018-19, 78 projects had already been approved by the PDWP.

The CM was informed that 87% of the development budget for the newly merged districts had been allocated to ongoing schemes whereas 13% had been allocated for new schemes.

He was further informed that the first ever provincial investment policy had been finalized which would prove to be a major source of attraction for investors once approved.

The draft for Public Investment Management plan had also been prepared which would be finalized soon.

Furthermore, for long-term development plan 2019-23, development plans had been prepared by all the departments whereas regular follow up was also being conducted for CPEC related projects.

The meeting was also informed that 232 schemes had been approved in 14 different PDWP meetings in which 78 schemes were related to erstwhile FATA.

While addressing the meeting, Mahmood Khan stated that a detailed traffic management plan for Abbottabad and Peshawar should be prepared in addition to shifting of Peshawar main bus station to Chamkani which will help in management of traffic related issues.