PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan said here on Tuesday that network of roads was of vital importance for rapid development of tribal areas.

A statement issued here said that while chairing a meeting of communication and works department, the chief minister was informed that under Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP), 65 mega schemes in road infrastructure were being executed in the newly merged districts for which more than Rs17 billion was allocated in the current financial year.

The statement said that work on 114 other projects of road infrastructure under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) was also in progress for which an amount of Rs4 billion was allocated.

It said that five of those projects were being executed in Bajur, six in Mohmand, 13 in Khyber, five in Kurram, seven in Orkazai, eight in North Wazirstan, 33 in South Wazirstan, two in sub-division Hassankhel, one in Dara Adamkhel, three in Jandola, eight in Darazinda, seven in Wazir area and two projects in Bhetani area of Waziristan.

The meeting reviewed the progress made so far on the projects regarding construction and rehabilitation of roads in the newly merged areas.

The meeting was briefed in details about the progress made so far on various projects of road communication being executed in merged areas through ADP and AIP as well.

The chief minister said on the occasion that timely completion of those projects, maintaining the desired standard and quality, was the priority of provincial government and it would not be compromised at all.

He said that completion of those projects would not only provide quality communication facilities to people but would also help in promoting trade and economic activities and providing employment opportunities to locals.

The chief minister directed the authorities concerned to ensure transparency in all the matters of their respective departments. He made it clear that any kind of financial irregularity and corruption would not be tolerated.

Taking notice of complaints about substandard construction work on certain projects, Mr Khan directed the communication and works department to look into the matter and take action against the responsible officials.

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2021