Peshawar: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, presided over a crucial meeting to review the progress of the provincial government’s eight flagship projects, announcing significant welfare initiatives and infrastructure developments.
Life Insurance Scheme for Citizens
In a major welfare move, the Chief Minister approved the launch of a Life Insurance Scheme from January 1 next year. Under this scheme:
- The government will provide financial support to families in case of the death of the household head at any government hospital or a facility covered under the Sehat Card Plus program.
- PKR 1 million will be provided for the death of individuals below 60 years of age, while PKR 500,000 will be given for those above 60.
- The scheme is expected to cost the provincial government PKR 4.5 billion annually.
The Chief Minister directed the concerned authorities to finalize all arrangements for the scheme’s timely implementation and set a three-month deadline for establishing a Provincial Islamic Takaful Insurance Company.
Transmission Line Projects
Gandapur also reviewed the progress on the government’s energy transmission projects and emphasized their timely completion:
- Lot-1: A 40 km-long, 220 kV transmission line from Matiltan to Bahrain in Swat, with a project cost of PKR 8 billion, will be completed within 18 months. This line will evacuate power from the 84 MW Matiltan Hydropower Project.
- Lot-2: A 120 km transmission line from Bahrain to Chakdara Grid will also be constructed.
The provincial government expects to generate PKR 9 billion annually from electricity transmission through its dedicated infrastructure.
Land Acquisition for Peshawar-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway
The Chief Minister instructed immediate land acquisition for the Peshawar-Dera Ismail Khan Motorway and directed the Finance Department to release PKR 2 billion for the purpose. Land acquisition will proceed simultaneously from both Peshawar and D.I. Khan.
Debt Management Fund and Economic Initiatives
Gandapur highlighted the establishment of a Debt Management Fund, a flagship initiative aimed at generating PKR 400-500 million monthly in revenue for the provincial government. He ordered the transfer of funds to this account within the next few days.
Tourism and Solarization Projects
- The provincial government will launch a Home Stay Tourism Project by January 1 to boost tourism and provide alternative accommodation options for visitors.
- The Solarization Project for government buildings is set to commence soon, with data collection already completed.
Trade Corridor Hub and Coordination with Federal Government
The meeting also decided to engage with the federal government for the implementation of the Trade Corridor Hub Project to enhance economic connectivity and regional trade.
Timely Completion of Flagship Projects
Chief Minister Gandapur emphasized the importance of completing all flagship projects within the set timelines. “These are priority projects for the province, and their successful completion will mark the beginning of a new era of economic growth,” he said. “Unnecessary delays will not be tolerated, and the benefits of these projects must reach the public without any hindrance.”
The Chief Minister assured that the provincial government would allocate the necessary resources on a priority basis to ensure the successful implementation of these projects.
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