Shah chairs weekly review meeting on governance matters in KP
DLP Report
PESHAWAR
A weekly review meeting on governance matters was held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shahab Ali Shah. The meeting was attended by administrative secretaries and officials from various departments.
Officials informed the Chief Secretary that a daily report on the ongoing anti-encroachment operation is being submitted to his office. Emphasizing the continuity of this operation, Shahab Ali Shah reiterated that action against illegal encroachments will remain indiscriminate and sustained, a handout said.
The meeting was further briefed on the implementation of the Good Governance Roadmap, which was officially launched after the recent rollout conference. The roadmap outlines the provincial government’s two-year priorities in governance, development, and security, formulated after a detailed sectoral review.
In a major development, the meeting was informed that the e-Procurement Automation and Digital System (e-PADS) has been launched across all provincial departments as of July 1. So far, 3,456 tenders have been uploaded to the system, with 420 awarded. Officials noted that the system has significantly enhanced transparency in public procurement. Previously, e-PADS was operational in only eight departments.
The Chief Secretary also announced that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for hotels and restaurants at tourist destinations will now be issued by the Land Use and Building Control Authority. A formal checklist will be introduced to streamline the approval process, which must be both legally compliant and user-friendly. He added that the provincial government is revamping the building control system along modern lines and has activated the Land Use and Building Control Authority accordingly.
Efforts are also underway to collect data on NOCs previously issued to riverside hotels and restaurants, along with details of the issuing officials.
The Tourism Department briefed the meeting on environmental initiatives at tourist sites. So far, 254 out of 412 hotels and restaurants have improved their drainage and sewage systems. Environmental protection activities are currently active in regions managed by the Galiyat, Kumrat, Kaghan, Upper Swat, and Kailash Development Authorities.
A comparative review of food prices over the past week was also presented. In districts where discrepancies were observed between retail and sale prices of flour, ghee, pulses, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and sugar, the Chief Secretary directed district administrations to take corrective measures.
The Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) reported the commencement of work on the Northern Section Missing Link of the Ring Road in Peshawar.
In terms of digital governance, officials briefed the meeting on the e-office initiative. A total of 37 summaries have been processed via the new e-summary system, while training for departmental staff is ongoing.
Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah also directed relevant departments to conduct surveys for the rehabilitation of roads in major urban centers across the province.
