DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of work on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rural Economic Transformation Project and directed concerned departments to immediately streamline implementation.
Presiding over a meeting at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, he said the Rs 30 billion project, being executed with the support of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has the potential to transform the lives of millions of poor people in the province.
The Chief Minister announced that the project will be reviewed and made more effective after consultation with all stakeholders.
Additional Chief Secretary (P&D) Ikramullah Khan, senior officials from the Planning and Development Department, and representatives of other relevant departments attended the meeting.
The Chief Minister emphasized strict adherence to project timelines and PC-I provisions, warning that negligence would not be tolerated. He also directed that recruitment of project staff and beneficiaries be made purely on merit, ensuring transparent use of public funds.
“The project will not only strengthen the provincial economy but also create new employment opportunities,” the Chief Minister stated.
Officials briefed the meeting that the project consists of three main components: Agri-Business Development, Skills Development and Employment Promotion, and Project Management and Policy Support. Under the Agri-Business component, 550 professional farmer organizations will be established. Meanwhile, under the Skills Development component, 60,000 youth will be provided training and employment opportunities, with 20,000 already trained so far.
It was further informed that 58 percent of project funding comes from IFAD, 16 percent from the provincial government, and 26 percent from beneficiary contributions.
CM-KP calls all-party Jirga as peace initiative
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Saturday telephonically contacted the heads of all major political parties to discuss the overall law and order situation in the province.
A statement issued here stated that the Chief Minister held detailed conversations with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Awami National Party’s Aimal Wali Khan, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Sirajul Haq, Pakistan Muslim League (N) provincial president Ameer Muqam, Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, and Pakistan Peoples Party’s Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha.
The statement said that it was decided to convene a jirga comprising leaders of all political parties under the in-house committee of the provincial assembly. The jirga will finalize a joint action plan for sustainable peace in the province. The Chief Minister said that formal invitations to political leaders will be extended by the Speaker of the provincial assembly.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi emphasized that peace and stability remain the top priorities of the provincial government. “There are no two opinions on establishing peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Differences of opinion are the beauty of democracy, but peace is our shared goal,” he said.
He reiterated that the government is fully committed to ensuring the safety of citizens and maintaining stability across the province, adding that no compromise will be made in this regard.
