DLP Report
ISLAMABAD
Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi has directed federal and provincial authorities to expedite land acquisition and remove bottlenecks to accelerate four major water and hydropower projects, warning that further delays are raising costs and deferring critical economic benefits.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House here on Monday, the chief minister assessed progress on the Chashma Right Bank Canal Lift-cum-Gravity (CRBC Lift Canal), Mohmand Dam, New Munda Headworks and Dasu Hydropower Project.
The meeting was attended by Provincial Minister for Irrigation Riaz Khan, Adviser to the CM on Finance Muzammil Aslam, MNA Sajid Mohmand, Federal Secretary for Water Resources, WAPDA Chairman Lieutenant General (Retired) Muhammad Saeed, and senior officials of federal and provincial governments.
Reviewing the CRBC Lift Canal, Mr Afridi described it as “one of the most consequential agricultural investments in the province’s history.” He directed authorities to expedite land acquisition and ensure robust security for project personnel.
Once completed, the scheme will bring more than 295,000 acres of barren land in southern KP under cultivation, boosting agricultural productivity, food security and rural livelihoods, he said.
The chief minister noted that prolonged delays, largely due to insufficient federal attention, had increased project costs. He reaffirmed that KP would continue to meet its financial obligations on a priority basis and urged the federal government to release funds in time to maintain momentum.
Officials informed the meeting that work is under way on six contract packages, with phased completion scheduled between 2027 and 2030.
The project is being executed under a 65:35 cost-sharing formula, with the federal government contributing 65 percent and the provincial government 35 percent.
On Mohmand Dam, the meeting was told that overall physical progress has reached 54 percent. The project is scheduled for completion in September 2028 and will irrigate 17,742 acres, generate 800MW of clean energy and supply 300 million gallons of drinking water per day to Peshawar.
Mr Afridi directed immediate resolution of issues related to the acquisition of 81 acres required for the Mohmand Dam Right Bank Irrigation Canal.
He also instructed that tenders for development schemes announced for local communities be issued within one month, saying project-affected populations must receive socio-economic benefits without delay.
Comprehensive briefings were also given on New Munda Headworks and Dasu Hydropower Project.
Terming Dasu a “strategic national asset,” the chief minister directed all concerned agencies to remove outstanding implementation constraints, adding that the project would be pivotal for Pakistan’s long-term energy security and sustainable growth.
He reiterated that the KP government would extend full institutional support for the timely completion of Dasu in coordination with all stakeholders.
Concluding the meeting, the chief minister stressed the need for stronger intergovernmental coordination, timely decision-making and sustained oversight to fast-track all major water and hydropower schemes. He said their early completion was essential for improving water availability, agricultural output and clean energy generation, and for advancing economic resilience and food security in KP and across the country.
