CM Mahmood Khan says record Rs83b approved for merged districts

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan said on Wednesday a record developmental budget of Rs83 billion has been approved for tribal districts during the current fiscal year 2019-20 and utilisation of the funds is being ensured.

Addressing a big public meeting at the Bara tehsil of the Khyber tribal district, he said the government was committed to transforming the tribal districts and bringing them on a par with the developed areas to usher a new era of development and prosperity there. He announced the dualization of Bara to Mastak Road which would be completed at a cost of Rs 7 billion. The chief minister came down hard on the political opponents and said those criticizing governance, should know that the merger of former Fata into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was a five-year programme which this government completed within just one year.

Enumerating the measures taken by the government, he said 29,000 Khasadar and Levies force men have been merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police and every citizen of the tribal district provided with free healthcare facilities under the Sehat Insaaf Card programme.

Mahmood Khan added that Insaaf Rozgar Scheme has been launched for the youth of tribal districts under which Rs 1 billion has already been provided which will ensure provision of livelihood opportunities. The chief minister reminded the audience that hundreds of developmental schemes have been included in the annual developmental programme which would change the fate of the merged districts.

He said construction of Takhta Baig to Matanai Bypass Road had already been announced which will cost of Rs 7 billion, adding the provincial government had rehabilitated 19 damaged schools out of total 126 while construction work on 50 damaged schools in Khyber tribal district will be started next month.

Mahmood Khan announced restoration of suspended Khasadar force personnel of the Khyber district.

The chief minister said the Jirga system has been restored through alternative dispute resolution council. He said the provincial government has secured the right of tribal people in mine and mineral leasing for which a proper law has been passed. Mahmood Khan said irrigation and water supply schemes would be improved in the Khyber tribal district .

He said construction of Bara dam would irrigate 1700 acres of land and wouldgenerate 6 MW of electricity whereas the remodeling and extension of Bara Canal System would be made possible.

The chief minister said black-topping of roads, construction of RCC bridges and sports stadiums at Landikotal and Shalman will be carried out on priority basis. The issues of power load-shedding in Khyber district would be resolved soon for which Rs 7 billion have already been provided to Tribal Electric Supply Company, he added.