PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan said on Sunday that economic stability and overall development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including merged tribal districts, was the priority of his government. He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government had taken practical steps to stabilise economy besides introducing key reforms in the province.

According to a statement issued here, he said this while talking to MPAs at the Chief Minister House, Peshawar.

The chief minister reiterated that the government had taken pragmatic steps for economic stability of the province, which included development of special economic zones, promotion of tourism, introduction of Insaf Rozgar Scheme, expansion of Sehat Insaf Card scheme and establishment of small industrial zones in tribal districts and Mohmand Marble City.

He said that for the first time the PTI government took practical steps for establishing a welfare state. He said that the government had focused on delivery of easy justice, rule of law and development of marginalised sections of the society.

“The provincial government has taken special measures for the uplift of backward sections of the society,” he said.

Mahmood Khan stated that long-term development and delivery of basic services in all the districts was the government’s top-most priority. He said that special attention was being given to the promotion of health and education in the backward areas besides development of merged tribal districts.

The chief minister said that Peshawar-DI Khan expressway would be completed to ensure development of southern districts, which would also accelerate businesses activities and facilitate access to major markets in the province.

He said that the government was making the province a centre of trade activities nationally as well as internationally. He said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was rich in natural resources, while the government was taking steps to utilise these resources for improvement of economy.

Mahmood Khan said that the government had introduced tourism as an industry. New tourist destinations have been developed in the province, he said, adding that international tourism would be promoted in the province.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2019