CM Afridi urges sustained funding for merged districts to ensure stability

DLP Report
ISLAMABAD
A meeting of the Joint Steering Committee on the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP) for the merged districts was held at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad, chaired by Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi.
The meeting reviewed progress and set priorities for fast-track development initiatives in the merged districts. It was attended by Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Tribal Affairs Mubarak Zeb Khan, Provincial Finance Minister Muzammil Aslam, and other senior officials.
The committee was informed that the provincial government has already provided bridge financing of Rs. 30.3 billion to sustain priority projects under AIP.
The chief minister expressed concern over the release of funds by the federal government during the current fiscal year but welcomed its indication to release Rs 20 billion, terming it a positive development.
He said the expected funds would be utilized to strengthen police infrastructure and complete near-finished projects. He also welcomed the federal assurance of releasing Rs. 9.3 billion for high-impact schemes.
Highlighting the security situation, the chief minister stressed that sustained development and targeted investment in the merged districts are essential for long-term stability. He added that the provincial government is ready to support household solarization initiatives to maximize public benefit.
The meeting was told that Rs. 28 billion has been allocated to enhance the operational capacity of KP Police, including modern equipment and infrastructure. The chief minister reiterated concerns over the financial share of the merged districts under the NFC Award, stating that significant funds have been diverted to other provinces over the past seven years.
Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the issue has been taken up with the prime minister, emphasizing that denying the merged districts their due share is a serious inequity.
Officials further informed the meeting that a new Annual Development Programme (ADP) scheme for household solarization has been approved, while the PC-I for strengthening FATA University has also been cleared, with Rs. 2.5 billion already released.
The committee also reviewed a proposal aimed at providing technical training and internships to 10,000 youth from the merged districts.