Staff Report
PESHAWAR: More than 100 participants of the National Workshop from Balochistan visited the Civil Secretariat Peshawar as part of their tour to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where they were briefed on the province’s development vision and strategic priorities.
Addressing the participants, Additional Chief Secretary (Planning & Development) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ikram Ullah Khan, said that the provincial government has launched an ambitious development portfolio for 2025-26 aimed at accelerating economic growth, expanding infrastructure and improving the quality of life across the province, including the merged districts.
He informed the delegation that the government has allocated a record Rs. 2.66 trillion for more than 2,100 projects. These projects, he said, focus on strengthening road networks, enhancing energy access, expanding social services, promoting agriculture and tourism, and driving industrialization to create new avenues of growth and employment.
The Additional Chief Secretary explained that special emphasis has been placed on infrastructure and connectivity. Work has been planned on major expressways and motorways, including the 360-kilometre Peshawar–DI Khan Motorway. In addition, over 1,300 kilometres of rural roads and 62 new bridges will be constructed to improve access to markets and villages. Another significant initiative is the development of the Khyber Pass Economic Corridor, which is expected to play a vital role in boosting regional trade and economic integration.
He further highlighted that industrial development is a key focus of the plan, with projects such as the Rashakai Special Economic Zone and the Daraban Economic Zone designed to attract private investment and stimulate industrial growth. Public-private partnership mechanisms are also being strengthened to create a more business-friendly environment.
Urban transport will also receive a substantial boost, with the consolidation and expansion of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Peshawar. Since its inception, the BRT has facilitated over 330 million passenger journeys, and expansion to surrounding areas through feeder routes is underway.
In the social sector, the government is investing heavily in skills development, entrepreneurship programmes and low-cost housing schemes, along with microfinance opportunities to support young entrepreneurs. To modernize education and promote clean energy, solarization of government buildings is being carried out and 130,000 households will be provided solar power across the province.
Recognizing the historic development gap in the merged districts, Ikram Ullah Khan said that Rs. 768 billion has been allocated for 560 projects in these areas to ensure inclusive growth and bring them at par with the rest of the province.
He also noted that international development partners are collaborating with the provincial government on high-impact initiatives in transport, tourism, human capital, rural transformation and e-governance.
Concluding his address, the Additional Chief Secretary emphasized that these wide-ranging initiatives will not only spur sustainable economic growth but will also build a resilient infrastructure backbone, empower communities and strengthen private sector confidence.
The visiting participants appreciated the efforts and vision of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government and lauded the hospitality extended to them during their tour, terming it a highly enriching experience.
