DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Friday directed the authorities to identify and develop new tourist destinations in Kolai-Palas and Allai, saying tourism promotion remained a key priority of the provincial government, as he chaired a high-level meeting to review development, governance and law and order in Hazara Division.
Chairing a high-level meeting at the Chief Minister’s House to review development initiatives, law and order, governance, public service delivery and grievance redressal in Hazara Division, the chief minister was briefed on the implementation of ongoing development projects, the security situation, governance reforms and institutional mechanisms for addressing public complaints.
Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, elected representatives from Hazara Division, the chief secretary, the inspector general of police and other senior officials attended the meeting, according to an official statement.
Mr Afridi said Rs500 million had been allocated under the Khushhal Hazara Package for tourism development projects and instructed the relevant departments to ensure quality facilities and hospitality for domestic and foreign tourists.
He said tourists served as ambassadors of the province’s positive image and directed officials to prepare traffic management plans for major tourist destinations during peak seasons.
To resolve a longstanding territorial dispute, the chief minister ordered the constitution of a commission to settle the boundary issue relating to Chor Mali Valley and Baleej Valley between Kolai-Palas and Battagram districts.
He directed the authorities concerned to initiate the required legal and administrative process without delay.
Reviewing preparedness for the ongoing monsoon season, Mr Afridi directed all departments to remain on high alert and ensure contingency plans were fully operational to deal with any emergency situation.
Emphasising citizen-centric governance, he instructed district administrations to strengthen public engagement and actively involve elected representatives in khuli kacheries and other outreach initiatives to ensure timely resolution of public grievances. “We will measure our performance not through presentations but through public satisfaction. The current fiscal year will be a year of peace, development and prosperity,” the chief minister said.
Referring to the government’s security priorities, Mr Afridi said the police budget had been increased to strengthen law and order and improve public safety across the province. The meeting was informed that 139 development schemes were currently under implementation in Hazara Division under the Annual Development Programme, with a substantial portion of the allocated funds already utilised.
Officials said 1,879 of the 2,111 complaints registered through the Pakistan Citizen Portal had been resolved, while more than 100 khuli kacheries had been held under the provincial government’s Open Door Policy to improve public engagement.
The meeting was further informed that land records had been fully digitised in Abbottabad and Battagram, while digitisation had reached 97pc in Haripur and 90pc in Mansehra. It was also told that 20 police facilitation centres were operational across Hazara Division, with six more under construction.
The chief minister directed all departments to ensure the timely and effective implementation of the decisions taken during the meeting and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to responsive governance, improved public services, sustainable development and lasting peace in the province.
