Approval of Development Projects Worth Billions for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the 7th PDWP Meeting

The seventh meeting of the Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was held today under the chairmanship of Mr. Islam Zeb, Additional Chief Secretary of the Planning and Development Department.

Acting on the special directives of the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to enhance connectivity and improve travel facilities across the province, the PDWP approved several key road projects.

Under these projects, feasibility studies will be conducted for the construction of a 45-kilometer-long road from Shoghor to Shah Saleem in Chitral District. In Buner District, a 20-kilometer stretch of road from Batai to Khalil Top will be widened, improved, and paved (black-topped) to provide safe and convenient travel facilities for the local population.

Development works have also been expanded in the Tirah Subdivision of Bara Tehsil, Khyber District. This includes the construction of an 11-kilometer road from Shangar Markaz to Dars Masjid via Sandpal, and an 8-kilometer road from Ahmadi to Donga.

Similarly, a project involving the feasibility study, design, and construction of a road from the Makhniyal-Islamabad boundary to Changla Gali via Dakhn Pulsar in Abbottabad District has been approved to facilitate safe and easy access to tourist destinations. Approved under the Chief Minister’s directives, these projects will strengthen the road network across the province, reduce travel time, and ensure safer travel for the public.

A special development package worth over Rs 9 billion has been approved for the development and prosperity of Torghar district, in accordance with the special directives of the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Under this historic package, work will be undertaken on projects spanning roads, health, livestock, agriculture, and other multi-sectoral areas throughout Torghar district. The plan includes the construction of new roads and the improvement of existing ones to enhance connectivity in underdeveloped and remote areas.

This comprehensive development package will bring about a tangible and lasting transformation in the lives of the people of Torghar district; it will generate employment opportunities, improve healthcare and transport facilities, and facilitate access to basic amenities.

During the meeting, 14 projects across various sectors—including roads, sports, forestry, the Board of Revenue (BOR), and multi-sectoral development—were approved.

Addressing the meeting, Mr. Islam Zeb emphasized the need to ensure the timely implementation, transparency, and quality of the approved projects.

Administrative secretaries of relevant departments, the Chief Economist, and representatives of various sections attended the meeting. The approved projects include the Billion Tree Afforestation Support Project; a feasibility study for the Umarzai Bypass Road in Charsadda District; feasibility studies for a 45-kilometer road from Shoghor to Shah Salim in Chitral District; the widening, improvement, and blacktopping of a 20-kilometer road from Batai to Khalil Top in Buner District; the construction of an 11-kilometer road from Shangar Markaz to Dars Masjid via Sandpal in the Tirah Subdivision of Bara Tehsil, Khyber District; the construction of an 8-kilometer road from Ahmadi to Donga in the Tirah Subdivision of Bara Tehsil, Khyber District; the feasibility study, design, and construction of a road from the Makhnial-Islamabad boundary to Changla Gali via Dakhn Pulsar in Abbottabad District; the establishment of a sports stadium in Upper Chitral District; the organization of sports competitions, construction of playgrounds, and the upgrading and rehabilitation of existing sports facilities in the merged districts; the Special Development Package (Phase II) for Torghar District; the establishment of an Urban Policy Unit; the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Resource for Inclusive Development (Multi-phase Programmatic Approach); and the centralization of the Land Record Management Information System.