GILGIT, Jan 30: Work on the second phase, involving Rs210 million, of the KPP has begun in all the five districts of the Northern Areas (NAs).

It was told at a Khushhal Pakistan Programme (KPP) Steering Committee meeting held here which was presided over by Northern Areas Chief Secretary Fazal Durrani.

In the first phase 840 schemes under the programme have been completed, and Rs120 million were disbursed out of the total amount.

NAs Local Government Secretary Prof Meherdad, speaking on the occasion, said: “The primary objective of the KPP in the Northern Areas is to benefit the lot of poor people through initiation of uplift schemes at the grassroot level by actively involving communities in their respective areas.”

He told the meeting that the communities had been empowered to identify the schemes and help was being provided to them for launching sustainable projects.

Deputy commissioners of the districts briefed the committee about the first phase of the KPP and pace of work on the projects of the second phase in their respective areas.

The participants of the meeting also discussed the proposed projects under the second phase and their viability in the long run.

The chief secretary urged the departments concerned to spend every penny of the KPP for the betterment of the people.

He directed district advisory boards chairmen to include women in the boards and also initiate projects relating to the women uplift.