PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Tuesday asked the planning and development department to come up with a master plan for the development and beautification of Peshawar and said the government would ensure the early yet effective resolution of the people’s problems, especially water, sanitation and traffic’s.

He also ordered the completion of mega projects on priority basis.

The orders were issue during a meeting held here to finalise the annual development programme for financial year 2018-19.

The meeting was attended by provincial ministers, advisers and special assistants to the chief minister, chief secretary, additional chief secretary, administrative secretaries and relevant officers.

A statement issued here said the projects prioritised for completion included Swat Motorway, Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit, Chashma Right Bank Lift Canal, Gomal Zam dam, development of sports grounds, and upgradation of 200 higher secondary schools in the province.

The chief minister ordered the completion of ongoing development schemes and the execution of the new demand-driven public welfare projects on need basis saying the government will provide funds for them.

He asked the heads of public sector institutions to ensure proper utilisation of resources and speedy completion of schemes. Mr Mahmood underlined the need for the capacity building of employees of the mines, minerals and tourism projects to attract investment.

He said the departments should focus on priority areas. The statement said 135 of the total 1,749 projects had been completed, while work on others was in progress.

The chief minister called for the strengthening of the province’s fiscal base for the implementation of the ruling PTI’s development plan.

He also asked the relevant authorities to plead the province’s case for net hydel profit and other payments well with the federal government. The participants approved the opening of new government schools in rented buildings.

They also reviewed progress on the Reshakai Economic Zone and allowed the acquisition of additional 1,600 acres of land for the zone.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2018