PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) on Monday approved 27 development projects valuing over Rs75 billion.

The development came during a meeting chaired by additional chief secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan here, said a statement issued here.

The approved schemes were of health, education, multi-sectoral development, roads, agriculture, water, social welfare, relief and rehabilitation, urban development, population welfare, and tourism sectors.

The PWDP approved the construction of bus terminals, beautification of selected urban areas, construction of slaughterhouses and solar-based tubewells in South Waziristan tribal district.

It also approved Phase II of the Peshawar Uplift Programme, which includes construction of roads, streets and drains in Karkhano Market.

Officials say speedy development of tribal districts top priority

The rehabilitation and improvement of Canal Patrol Road along with Warsak Canal was also approved to improve connectivity between Hayatabad and Northern Bypass.

The statement said accelerated development of the merged tribal districts was a top priority of government and several initiatives proposed under initiative including low-cost water supply schemes; rural approach roads, street pavement and construction of drains in different districts/subdivisions of the erstwhile Fata were also approved.

Under the economic revitalisation initiative for North Waziristan tribal district, Phase II of the compensation for lost businesses was also approved at the cost of Rs6.63 billion.

In addition, several projects, including rehabilitation of drainage systems, flood protection works, construction of bridges and installation of tube wells in three tehsils of Nowshera district, including Pabbi, Jehangira and Nowshera, were approved.

The PWDP approved the extension of irrigation scheme to Balambat tehsil in Lower Dir district and construction of flood protection wall at downstream of Kochi bridge in Lower Kurram.

The statement said Phase II of the strengthening of the TB Control Programme in KP would be launched soon.

It added that the establishment of 200 family welfare centres in the province, reopening of functional community schools in different areas, and launching of sports talent identification and grooming activities in KP were added to the approved projects portfolio.

In infrastructure development sector, water supply to Kulachi, Daraband, Kural, Chekhan and Zandani areas of Dera Ismail Khan district and feasibility study of the Khandia Road in Upper Kohistan district were also approved.

Published in Dawn, Jannuary 5th, 2021