DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Saturday said the provincial government was actively planning for food self-sufficiency, with key departments directed to expedite related initiatives.
He announced that the food department’s budget will be increased in the upcoming provincial budget, and modern, technology-driven wheat storage warehouses will be constructed across the province.
Speaking at an event organized by the KP Food Safety and Halal Food Authority to mark World Food Safety Day at the Chief Minister’s House, CM Afridi stressed that raising public awareness about safe food and promoting responsible behavior is a critical need of the hour.
Special Assistant to CM for Food Dr. Muhammad Israr, Secretary Food, and DG Halal Food Authority also addressed the ceremony.
He noted that the establishment of the KP Food Safety Authority has already led to significant improvements in the supply of healthy food.
The Chief Minister said the province is targeting self-reliance in multiple sectors by 2030. “Planning for food self-sufficiency wss underway and necessary instructions have been issued to the relevant departments,” he stated.
However, CM Afridi strongly criticized the federal government for discriminatory treatment toward KP. He said Punjab’s “fake government” had stopped wheat supply to the province despite repeated letters and requests going unanswered. “When people with 17 seats are handed power, they do not think about public welfare,” he remarked.
He highlighted stalled development projects due to lack of federal support. For the CRBC project, the provincial government allocated Rs 3 billion, but the federal government, despite being obligated to provide 80% funding—later reduced to 65%—failed to allocate even a single rupee in the federal budget. Similarly, KP has provided Rs 4 billion in bridge financing for the Northern Bypass project.
The CM added that while the Peshawar Bus Terminal is complete, NHA is not issuing an NOC for the access road. The Swat Dam project is ready, but the federal government is not granting NOCs for foreign engineers’ visits.
On energy, Afridi said KP produces over 500 MMCFD of gas but consumes only 150 MMCFD, yet the federal government has kept KP’s own gas supply shut off. “Under the Constitution, the gas-producing province has the first right to use it. The middle class is suffering badly due to federal policies,” he said, warning that such treatment would only increase resentment.
