Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM reviews development projects, funds availability

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur chaired a meeting on development projects in the province. The meeting was held on Sunday morning in Dera Ismail (DI) Khan and was attended by the senior officials of the related divisional and district administration.

Additional Chief Secretaries and Administrative Secretaries concerned also participated in the meeting through video link. A detailed review of development projects was carried out under the Annual Development Program (ADP).

The chief minister was briefed on the progress of ongoing and new projects in DI Khan district in various sectors. These sectors include health, education, communication, sports, irrigation, industry, tourism, social welfare, relief and livestock.

Under the ongoing projects of the Provincial ADP, work is underway on 19 major projects in DI Khan in with the total cost of Rs70 billion. Out of these, Rs6.1 billion has been allocated in the current fiscal year budget. However, since July, only Rs 724 million has been released for these projects.

Moreover, 25 new projects have been included in the Provincial AD, at the cost of Rs23.8 billion. For these new projects, Rs1.4 billion has been allocated in the current fiscal year budget.

CM Gandapur was informed that under the current ADP, 12 priority projects have been shortlisted for DI Khan. These projects include the establishment of Girls Cadet College, a satellite center of the Peshawar Institute of Cardiology, a burn center, and a catheter lab. Additionally, construction of flyers, establishment of Girls Commerce College, as well as a new building for the education board is also part of these new projects, along with the transfer of the Tank base are also included in these 12 projects.

Construction of water courses of Gomal Zam Dam, District Development Plan, and sports projects are also part of these priority projects. So far, Rs357 million has been released for the construction of flyovers, while a summary of Rs233 million grant has been sent for the expansion of the existing building for Girls Commerce College, purchase of equipment and other matters.

For the formation of a Board of Governors for the establishment of Girls Cadet College and renovation of the existing building, a proposal of Rs209 million has been sent for approval. Moreover, work is underway on a revised PC-1 for the establishment of a Cath Lab in DI Khan.

A PC-2 costing Rs25 million has been prepared for the establishment of Peshawar Institute of Cardiology. Preparation of PC-1 is underway for the establishment of a burn center in Mufti Mahmood Teaching Hospital.

Chief Minister Gandapur issued approval on these projects and expressed satisfaction about the overall progress. He directed the authorities concerned to ensure implementation of these public welfare projects as per the stipulated timelines.

It was informed in the meeting that progress on development projects will be reviewed at the level of all other divisions as well. The chief minister said that all divisional commissioners should monitor the progress on development projects in their respective divisions.

Development projects will be started on a uniform basis in all districts of the province, Gandapur said, adding that the merged districts and other backward districts will be given priority in these development projects.

Chief Minister Gandapur also reviewed the availability of funds required for practical progress on development projects and directed the relevant authorities that the funds should be ensured in time. “Funds should be released on first priority for payment of arrears of development projects,” Chief Minister Gandapur said, adding “The line departments concerned should inform the Finance Department about the requirements of development funds in a timely manner.” Ganadpur urged that delays in public welfare projects should be avoided.

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