PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has set up a steering committee on the merged districts, which will work as a medium to review progress and keep an eye on issues in the region and propose recommendations.

Besides, the government has also notified setting up a merged districts implementation unit to support the steering committee to coordinate monitoring and implementation of all tasks including projects, development, policy and special initiatives and related matters.

A notification issued by the home and tribal affairs department said that the steering committee will work under the minister for merged districts while special secretary home for merged districts will be its secretary.

Besides, special secretary chief minister’s secretariat as well as special secretaries of planning and development, finance, health, elementary and secondary education, and agriculture department will be its members.

Besides, additional secretaries of mines and minerals and tourism and law departments will also be the members of the steering committee. In addition to this, member of Board of Revenue, a deputy inspector general of police, representative of 11 corps, and director Centre of Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism will also be its members.

Merged districts implementation unit under the special secretary of merged districts at the home and tribal affairs department will act as secretariat to the steering committee.

The notification said that the steering committee may consider, decide and fast track all matters related to merged districts on its own initiative or as directed by the chief minister or as forwarded by the office of chief secretary KP.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2023