PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday performed the groundbreaking of two major infrastructure projects -- Warsak Road (Ring Road Phase-II) Flyover and Palosi Flyover -- under the Rs200 billion Peshawar Revitalisation Plan, marking another significant milestone in the government’s comprehensive urban transformation agenda for the provincial capital.

The approximately 800-metre-long Warsak Road Flyover will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs3.2 billion. It is the largest flyover project under the plan and is scheduled for completion within 180 days.

The Palosi Flyover, with an estimated cost of Rs2.6 billion, is expected to substantially ease traffic congestion in surrounding localities while improving the safety, efficiency, and overall flow of urban mobility.

During the project briefing, officials informed the chief minister that both the Warsak Road and Palosi flyovers constitute critical components of Ring Road Phase-II and will significantly enhance the city’s transport infrastructure.

Afridi reaffirms govt’s commitment to transformation of provincial capital

Addressing the ceremony, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said that critics frequently question the development record of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that the strongest answer to such criticism is the confidence repeatedly reposed in the party by the people through a third consecutive electoral mandate.

He stated that development activities were currently underway across the province, with the Peshawar Revitalisation Plan representing one of the government’s flagship urban development initiatives.

Reaffirming the provincial government’s commitment to the transformation of the provincial capital, he observed that Peshawar is not only the administrative capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but also the face of the entire province.

He added that if required, the government would commit an additional Rs200 billion after completion of the current phase to sustain the city’s development and modernisation.

The chief minister paid tribute to the immense sacrifices rendered by the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the fight against terrorism, noting that the province had endured years of violence before peace was restored through the sacrifices of thousands of citizens and security personnel.

He regretted that ‘flawed’ policy decisions by the federal leadership had contributed to the resurgence of terrorism, the consequences of which continue to be borne by the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the country at large.

He further remarked that the province had repeatedly become the testing ground for decisions made behind closed doors, adding that such an approach was no longer acceptable. He emphasised that the democratic will of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must be respected in all matters affecting the province.

Expressing optimism for the coming fiscal year, Mr Afridi said it would be a year of peace, development, and prosperity for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Responding to criticism of the provincial government’s protest politics, he maintained that peaceful protest is a constitutional and democratic right when legitimate constitutional entitlements are denied.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2026