DLP Report
ISLAMABAD
Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting of the Planning and Development Department (P&D) to review proposed initiatives under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2026–27, emphasizing equitable service delivery, strengthened emergency response, and sustainable growth across the province.
“The forthcoming ADP is a strategic opportunity to drive socio-economic transformation. Our planning must reflect ground realities, public needs, and long-term sustainability,” the Chief Minister said, underlining that the equitable distribution of development dividends across all regions remains a core responsibility of the government.
According to an official statement, at the meeting, ministers, secretaries and senior officials undertook a comprehensive review of new project proposals across social welfare, sports, tourism, relief, transport, and other key sectors.
The Chief Minister directed that fully functional rescue stations be established at the tehsil level to boost emergency response capacity and improve outcomes in disaster and crisis situations. Emphasizing innovation and environmental sustainability, he instructed the relevant departments to explore the feasibility of establishing an electric bikes and scooters manufacturing industry in the province, along with a structured assessment of heli-tourism to unlock high-value tourism potential in remote and scenic regions.
Officials briefed the forum on the progress of the province’s Socio-Economic Registry, with Mr Afridi directing its completion by December. He stressed that a robust and digitized registry was critical for evidence-based policymaking, targeted subsidies, and transparent delivery of social protection programmes.
In the social welfare sector, proposals were reviewed for the expansion of Zamung Kor centres, establishment of new schools for children with hearing and speech impairments, and upgradation of existing facilities. Additional initiatives included strengthening Dar-ul-Aman institutions, establishing new facilities, and upgrading artificial limb workshops into advanced bionic prosthetics centres. Proposals for stipends and scholarships for children with special needs and the development of dedicated educational complexes were also considered.
The ADP also contains proposals in the sports sector, including the establishment of tehsil-level grounds in Hazara and Malakand divisions, construction of sports complexes in Battagram and Upper Dir, provision of indoor sports facilities for women, and the establishment of Jawan Markaz for youth.
Tourism development plans focused on identifying new destinations, conserving archaeological heritage, restoring historic railway stations, and promoting adventure tourism.
A targeted mobility initiative for working women and female students through the provision of electric scooters was also reviewed.
In transport, the meeting discussed the Kohat–Kharlachi rail service, introduction of suburban rail services, procurement of double-decker electric buses for tourism, and expansion of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) fleet with additional electric buses.
Plans for extending the Peshawar BRT system to Charsadda, Nowshera, and Khyber were also reviewed.
In the relief and emergency services domain, the establishment of new rescue stations and the expansion of emergency services to include specialized mine rescue operations in mining districts were discussed. Mr Afridi emphasized that all departments must finalize proposals in line with public needs and long-term sustainability objectives to ensure that the ADP delivers tangible benefits to the people of KP.
