PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi on Tuesday announced that the provincial government would increase funds for the interest-free youth loan scheme from Rs3 billion to Rs5 billion.

While addressing the Young Leaders Convention at Nishtar Hall here, the chief minister also announced a grant of Rs2 million for the Young Leaders Parliament, according to an official statement.

He said that the administrative merger of Fata with KP was carried out in 2018, but their financial integration had yet to take place in a clear violation of the Constitution.

Mr Afridi said that on one hand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was being denied its legitimate rights, whereas on the other, corruption amounting to Rs5.3 trillion at the federal level had been reported by IMF.

Afridi says delay in ex-Fata’s financial integration a constitutional violation

He said corrupt rulers faced no questions for spending looted public money on islands and apartments overseas, while the provincial government was criticised for allocating Rs4 billion for Tirah Valley’s displaced population.

The CM said that the federal government currently owed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rs4.758 trillion.

He said that despite limited resources, the PTI was governing the province for the third time on the basis of its good performance and service delivery.

“If the outstanding dues are paid, public service delivery and overall performance in the province can be further enhanced.”

Mr Afridi said nations progressed only when they carried the pain of the country in their hearts.

“A nation without self-respect can never move forward,” He said.

The CM criticised the Punjab government, saying that a “de facto civil martial law” has been imposed in Punjab, where political freedoms have been curtailed, with the rulers representing an authoritarian mindset.

He said that the PTI’s struggle was meant for the rule of law in the country where everyone was equally treated by law irrespective of their social status.

Mr Afridi said that senior politicians had been unjustly imprisoned, calling it the worst form of political victimization.

He said that the wife of Imran Khan, a non-political lady has also been unlawfully detained, while poisonous water was released at night outside Adiala Jail against his sisters protesting against the unlawful imprisonment of Imran Khan.

The CM emphasised that the permanent eradication of terrorism is possible only through a unanimous, comprehensive, and clear policy.

“Temporary measures, reactionary decisions, and political point-scoring cannot resolve the issue of terrorism.”

Mr Afridi said that without a jointly agreed policy, framed through mutual consultation among the federation and all stakeholders, the elimination of terrorism and the achievement of lasting peace would not be possible.

He urged youth to raise their voices on all these issues at every forum.

The CM emphasised that their struggle remains strictly within the bounds of the law and the Constitution, and urged the public to stand with them and resist any decision that undermines the interests of the province.

“It is better to raise our voices as a living nation than to carry coffins,” he said, adding that policies would be introduced to benefit all segments of society.

Meanwhile, the Public-Private Partnership Committee, in a meeting chaired by Mr Afridi, has approved the concession agreement for the Integrated Tourism Zone, Thandiani.

This will be the country’s first Integrated Tourism Zone to be developed under a public-private partnership model.

Participants were briefed that the project carries a minimum revenue potential of Rs23 billion, with no cap on projected earnings, according to officials.

Mr Afridi directed authorities to proceed by signing the concession agreement with the relevant private partner, saying that the project aims to transform Thandiani, a renowned hill resort, into an eco-friendly tourism destination through private sector investment.

He said the provincial government was striving to make tourism a cornerstone of economic stability.

“Integrated Tourism Zones are flagship initiatives of the provincial government and must be completed in accordance with environmentally sustainable principles.”

The CM said in order to fully harness Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s vast tourism potential, a multipronged strategy was being pursued.

Officials informed the meeting that the Integrated Tourism Zone comprised four zones and three packages, designed to cater to tourists of all age groups.

According to them, the three packages include 14 potential tourism projects, three new hotels or condotels, and 263 hotel and resort keys. Additional facilities will include serviced apartments, recreational attractions, shopping malls, commercial complexes, amusement parks, welfare areas, family serviced apartments, parking and other amenities.

The officials also said it would be the fourth integrated tourism zone in the province, spread over 400 kanals of land.

Other zones under development include Ghanool in Mansehra (480 kanals), Mankyal in Swat (754 kanals) and Madaklasht in Chitral (540 kanals), with a combined cost of Rs12.3 billion.

The chief minister directed authorities to take all possible measures to ensure the timely and quality completion of these projects.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2026