Citizens of Erstwhile FATA should immediately start reaping the benefits of Merger: CM

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has directed the P&D Department to ensure efficiency in timely and speedy implementation of development projects in the newly merged tribal districts adding that people should immediately start reaping the benefits of the merger.

Mahmood Khan has further directed the P&D Department to ensure speedy provision of loans under the Insaf Rozgar Scheme with special emphasis on areas that have been affected the most by militancy and military operations.

These directives were issued by the Chief Minister while chairing a progress review meeting on the 8 months performance of the Planning and Development department. The meeting was also attended by Chief Secretary Muhammad Saleem Khan, Additional Chief Secretary Dr Shehzad Khan Bangash, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Shahab Ali Shah and other high ranking officials.

The Chief Minister directed the P&D department to submit a monthly progress report on the pattern of PMRU pointing out the current and achieved status of the quick impact and other development projects. Mahmood Khan directed the P&D department to finalize development scheme in the upcomming budget for providing monthly stipends to degree holding students in the newly merged districts.

Mahmood Khan further directed the P&D department to follow up on all the announcements made by the Prime Minister and Chief Minister during their visits to the newly merged tribal districts adding that progress on the announcements should be submitted on regular basis.

While briefing the Chief Minister on the achievements of P&D department, Dr Shehzad Khan Bangash stated that under the approved Rs 20.4 Billion ADP budget, for the year 2018-19, 78 projects have already been approved by the PDWP.

The Chief Minister was informed that 87% of the development budget for the newly merged districts has been allocated to ongoing schemes whereas 13% has been allocated for new schemes.

The Chief Minister was informed that the first ever provincial investment policy has been finalized which will prove to be a major source of attraction for investors once approved.

Mahmood Khan was further informed that the draft for Public Investment Management plan has also been prepared which will be finalized soon. Furthermore, for long-term development plan 2019-23, development plans have been prepared by all the departments whereas regular follow up is also being conducted for CPEC related projects.

The meeting was also informed that 232 schemes have been approved in 14 different PDWP meetings in which 78 schemes are related to erstwhile FATA.

While addressing the meeting, Mahmood Khan stated that a detailed traffic management plan for Abbottabad and Peshawar should be prepared in addition to shifting of Peshawar main bus station to Chamkani which will help in management of traffic related issues.