KP govt approves purchase of luxury vehicles for KP-RETP officers

PESHAWAR. Despite financial difficulties, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved the purchase of expensive and luxury vehicles worth Rs180 million for the officers of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rural Economic Transformation Project (KP-RETP), which was initiated with the financial support of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

The provincial government’s decision came at a time when news of a summary for the purchase of a vehicle for an adviser of the provincial government is circulating in the media, which has stirred controversy.

According to sources, the provincial cabinet, under the chair of KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, approved the summary for the purchase of 21 vehicles worth Rs180 million rupees for KP-RETP.

According to the sources, several cabinet members expressed reservations, after which the number of vehicles was reduced from 28 to 21, and subsequently, the provincial cabinet approved the summary for the purchase of vehicles for the officers of the said project.

According to documents of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Department of Planning and Development, the provincial government has started KP-RETP with a loan and grant of Rs30 billion from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the development of rural areas in 36 districts of the province, including merged districts, with completion due by 2029.

KP-RETP Project Director Zaheeruddin Babar told HUM News English that a summary was presented to the provincial cabinet for the purchase of 28 vehicles for the project staff, but the cabinet approved the purchase of 21 vehicles.

The project director further stated that the said project will benefit a population of over 4.3 million in rural areas. He said that measures will be taken for the development of agriculture in these areas.