KP CM calls for timely completion of uplift projects

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Expressing satisfaction over the progress of work on uplift schemes in his native district, Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Sunday directed the authorities concerned to ensure timely completion of welfare projects.

He was speaking at a meeting to review the developmental portfolio of district Dera Ismail Khan under the Provincial Annual Development Programme. Senior officials from the divisional and district administration of DI Khan attended the meeting whereas Additional Chief Secretary Planning and Development Ikramullah Khan, Additional Chief Secretary Home Muhammad Abid Majeed, and administrative secretaries of relevant departments attended the meeting from Peshawar via video link.

Chief minister emphasized equal development across all divisions and prioritisation of underdeveloped and merged districts in planning and funding. The chief minister also instructed divisional commissioners to monitor development activities in their respective divisions and ensure the availability of required funds. He urged line departments to communicate their financial needs promptly to the finance department and avoid unnecessary delays, ensuring the timely completion of projects for public benefit.

Earlier, the chief minister was briefed on the progress of ongoing and new projects across various sectors in DI Khan. The officials said that work was underway on 19 major projects across sectors like health, education, communications, sports, irrigation, industry, tourism, social welfare, relief, and livestock. These projects, they said, with a total cost of Rs 70 billion, have an allocation of Rs6.1 billion for the current fiscal year, out of which Rs724 million has already been released. It was further told that 25 new projects worth Rs23.8 billion have been included in the provincial annual development program for DI Khan, with an allocation of Rs 1.4 billion in this year’s budget. Among these, 12 priority projects have been shortlisted, including the establishment of a Girls Cadet College, a satellite center of the Peshawar Institute of Cardiology, a burn centre, and a cath lab. Other key initiatives include the construction of flyovers, the establishment of a Girls Commerce College, a new building for the education board, and the relocation of the Tank bus terminal. The meeting was informed that Rs 357 million have been released for the construction of flyovers in the district, a summary of Rs 233 million for expanding the Girls Commerce College and purchasing equipment has been submitted, whereas Rs 209 million have been proposed for the establishment of Girls Cadet College. Similarly, revised PC-I for establishing a cath lab is underway, while PC-II for the satellite center of the Peshawar Institute of Cardiology has been prepared at a cost of Rs 25 million; and PC-I for setting up burn center at Mufti Mehmood Teaching Hospital is under preparation.