PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi chaired an important meeting to finalize the framework of a comprehensive development package for the merged districts of the erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Area (Fata).
The meeting reviewed in detail the proposed framework and priority sectors aimed at ensuring sustainable socio-economic development of the merged areas. The meeting was informed that under the proposed package, significant investments will be made in six thematic areas for the development of the merged districts. The total size of the development package will be Rs 1,000 billion, and its name has been finalized as “Roshan Qabail.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that under this package special focus will be placed on improving infrastructure, developing human resources, and creating employment opportunities so that the merged districts can be brought at par with other developed areas of the province.
He directed that the establishment of Tribal Medical College, Institute of Modern Sciences, and Safe city projects be included in the package. He also instructed that the establishment of District Headquarter Hospitals and Tehsil Headquarter Hospitals be made part of the package in those districts and tehsils where such facilities do not currently exist.
The Chief Minister further directed that a modern sports complex be established in each merged district and a sports ground at the tehsil level to provide healthy recreational opportunities for youth. He also issued instructions to include the markets as well as internal and external entry routes of the merged districts in the Safe City Project along with shifting of markets, schools, and health facilities to solar energy.
The Chief Minister also directed that a Rescue 1122 station, orphanages, and shelter homes be included in the development plan for every tehsil across the merged districts.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister emphasized increasing the share of investment in the health and education sectors, stating that sustainable development is not possible without substantial improvement in these areas. He also directed enhancement of allocations for Science, Technology and Information Technology, Irrigation, Social Welfare, Sports, and Energy sectors.
It was also informed in the briefing that special investments will be made under the package to enhance institutional capacity, improve governance, and ensure effective service delivery, while cross sectoral reforms will be undertaken to achieve inclusive development with particular strengthening of the health and education sectors.
It was further briefed that under the development package, 1,245 new primary schools will be established in the merged districts, while 463 primary schools and 85 middle schools will be upgraded. Additionally, 975 primary schools, 240 middle schools, and 125 high schools will be rehabilitated. The package also includes the recruitment of 11,500 teachers and the provision of various educational scholarships.
In the health sector, the package includes the rehabilitation and functionalization of health facilities and the establishment of telemedicine centers in District Headquarter Hospitals.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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