KP cabinet overrides austerity policy, approves purchase of 22 vehicles from ADB loan

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved the purchase of 22 vehicles valued at approximately Rs100 million from a portion of a Rs25 billion loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) intended to boost agricultural development.

According to government documents obtained by HUM News English, the province’s agriculture secretary presented the proposal at the October 24 cabinet meeting, noting that the purchase was initially postponed in September, leading to delays in project activities.

According to the documents, the provincial cabinet has now made an exception to its austerity policy to allow the agriculture department to acquire the vehicles.

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These vehicles are expected to support staff working on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Security Support Project.

KP Finance Department officials had initially expressed concerns, noting that the interim provincial government was not formally authorised to secure foreign loans. However, the agriculture department has argued that the project was essential for bolstering provincial agricultural output and ensuring food security.

The project, which aims to assist 1.9 million farmers across the province, will register them and supply seeds and fertilizers, with vehicles facilitating the operations across six directorates.