Development of merged districts top priority: KP CM

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Thursday said that the development of tribal districts was the top priority of the provincial government.

He was talking to a delegation from UNICEF, led by Abdullah Fadil.

The matters pertaining to mutual interest, particularly on ongoing public welfare activities in the province supported by UNICEF came under discussion.

The meeting also explored opportunities for further expanding cooperation and partnership between UNICEF and the provincial government. Gandapur highlighted the severe impact of the war against terrorism on tribal districts.

He stressed the need for special cooperation from development partners to provide relief to the people residing in these districts.

Emphasising the fast-track development of the newly merged districts as a top priority, Chief Minister Gandapur assured that despite challenges and financial constraints, the government is committed to making special efforts in this regard.

He called for enhanced support from international donor agencies and development partners to achieve this goal effectively.

The chief minister expressed the provincial government’s intention to strengthen and broaden partnership to include additional sectors such as school infrastructure improvement, clean water supply, sewerage, solarisation of educational institutions, religious seminaries, tube wells, and support for deserving households across the province.

In response, Abdullah Fadil reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to prioritising Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for its public welfare activities.

He mentioned UNICEF’s existing collaboration with the provincial government in various sectors including education, healthcare, public health engineering, and the polio eradication programme.