This was agreed in a meeting of a two-member delegation of ADB, who called on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Senior Minister for Irrigation and Social Welfare, Sikdanar Hayat Khan Sherpao here, at Civil Secretariat, Peshawar.

The delegation was led by Takaku R, Water Resources Management Specialist, while Tariq Rashid, Secretary Irrigation KP, Asad Zafar Senior Project Officer ADB and other technical specialists were also present in the meeting.

The Provincial Minister told the delegation that more than 70% population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa depended upon agriculture and being the backbone of national economy and human development, irrigation system need to be extended and upgraded as per the challenges of the modern era.

He also explained the different irrigation and power generation projects planned to be commissioned in KP with specific reference to the Terch Irrigation Canal, Chitral and small dams project.

He requested the delegation to introduce modern technology and techniques in developing the irrigation system of KP and also suggested to establish a technical academy where the engineers and other technical staff of Irrigation Department be imparted modern training .

After detailed discussion on the overall existing and future planned irrigation system in KP, the delegation expressed their keen interest to work in this Province for the up-gradation and extension of irrigation canal system of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and assured the Provincial Minister for Irrigation that all these proposal must be included in the next meeting of ADB for serious consideration to be held in March 2017.

The delegation also expressed their interest in the availability of huge water resources in the province and disclosed that the Bank have keen interest to invest in KP Irrigation sector.

The Provincial Minister thanked the delegation for their efforts and interest for support of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government and public.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2016