DLP Report
ISLAMABAD
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Tuesday unveiled a Rs200 billion comprehensive development package for Hazara Division, with Rs50bn earmarked for tourism-related projects, as Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi pledged accelerated and more “impactful” planning for the next fiscal year.
The announcement came during a high-level meeting of parliamentarians from Hazara Division held at Pakhtunkhwa House, Islamabad, under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, according to an official statement.
The meeting was attended by the Speaker of the KP Assembly and elected members of the National and Provincial Assemblies from Hazara Division.
Participants discussed the dualisation of the Haripur–Mansehra GT Road, which falls under the administrative control of the federal government and the National Highway Authority (NHA). The demand for upgrading the key artery was formally presented at the meeting, after which the chief minister assured full cooperation and financial support from the provincial government to facilitate early execution of the project.
The meeting also featured detailed consultations on the preparation of the upcoming Annual Development Programme (ADP), alongside a comprehensive review of the division’s development needs.
Mr Afridi directed that Rs50bn from the special package be allocated specifically for tourism initiatives to tap the region’s natural beauty and tourist destinations. He further instructed authorities to convene a separate consultative session with parliamen tarians to seek proposals for schemes to be included in the development plan, with an emphasis on practical and sustainable projects aligned with local priorities.
He said development planning for the next fiscal year would differ from previous years by incorporating large-scale projects of public importance. Priority, he added, would be given to the timely completion of ongoing schemes to ensure that development efforts translate into tangible relief for citizens.
The chief minister also announced that a notification granting district status to Allai would be issued to bring administrative affairs closer to residents and improve service delivery.
To ensure transparency and efficient utilisation of resources, he directed that all PC-1 documents for development projects be completed prior to the finalisation of the ADP.
Reiterating his government’s commitment to the vision of PTI founding chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan, Mr Afridi said significant investment would be made in the health and education sectors, with special focus on backward districts across the province.
