PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has released over 85 per cent of the funds for developmental schemes of local government sector during the current financial years so far as compared to the 64 per cent expenditure of the released funds during the corresponding year.

An official statement said that Chief Minister Mahmood Khan chaired a meeting here on Thursday to formulate Annual Development Programme (ADP) for financial year 2020-21.

The meeting reviewed in detail various proposed developmental schemes of local government and irrigation sectors to be included in the new ADP. It also reviewed the progress made so far on the implementation of developmental schemes of the current ADP in these sectors.

The meeting was informed that more than 85 per cent of the released funds for various developmental schemes of irrigation sector was utilised whereas efforts were underway to ensure 100 per cent utilisation of the funds by the end of the current financial year.

The meeting was also informed that 22 ongoing projects of irrigation sector would be completed in tribal districts whereas 17 ongoing projects of the sector would be completed in the rest of the province during the new financial year.

The chief minister said that in view of the financial crunches due to coronavirus pandemic, priority would be given to completion of ongoing developmental schemes in the new ADP.

He said that new developmental schemes of dire need would also be included in the new ADP. He directed the officials concerned to take necessary steps to finalise the next ADP in time.

Meanwhile, Adviser to Chief Minister Ajmal Khan Wazir said that for bilateral trade with Afghanistan, it was decided to keep the Torkham border open 24 hours six days in a week for all trucks under SOPs.

He said that during the last few days, after opening of the border for 24 hours, trade was increased tremendously. He added that with the consent of both the countries, Saturday was reserved for pedestrian border crossings.

Briefing media on Thursday, he said that Pakistanis returning home from Afghanistan through Torkham border were being quarantined in Khyber tribal district.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2020