KP CM announces Rs50bn Mardan uplift package, blames ‘failed state policies’ for unrest

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi on Saturday announced a Rs50 billion development package for Mardan, while attributing the province’s deteriorating law and order to “failed state policies” and the resettlement of militants in the area.
Addressing a large public gathering of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf workers at the Mardan Railway Ground, Mr Afridi said the provincial government remained committed to former prime minister Imran Khan’s policy of dialogue, which he claimed was “now acknowledged across the globe in 2026”.
The venue and adjoining streets were lined with portraits of PTI leaders as thousands of supporters chanted slogans demanding the release of Mr Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi.
Among those who spoke at the rally were PTI Central Chairman Barrister Gohar, KP provincial president Junaid Akbar, Sindh president Aleem Adil Sheikh, Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Moinuddin, MNA Shandana Gulzar, Peshawar region president Atif Khan, Faisal Javed, Meena Khan, KP General Secretary Ali Asghar Khan, Jahangir Rind from Balochistan, and former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser.
Barrister Gohar told the gathering that cases against Mr Khan and his wife had been filed, but the party continued to support dialogue and abide by the directions of its chairman. “Strengthening democracy and parliament is not possible without the country’s largest political party,” he said.
Mr Afridi said he had opposed military operations in the past and stood by Mr Khan’s long-standing stance on negotiations. He announced that the next session of the provincial assembly would be held in an open ground instead of the assembly building.
He added that PTI’s protest campaign would continue until Mr Khan and Bushra Bibi were shifted to a hospital and permitted treatment by doctors of their choice under family supervision.
The chief minister said he would leave for Kashmir on April 25 to mark the party’s foundation day and visit Lahore on May 1.
He noted that the gathering had been scheduled during the daytime to counter claims that “people did not come out”, and thanked Mardan residents for their “massive participation”.
“Our respect and status are because of Imran Khan, and I will sacrifice my life for him,” he said.
Providing details of the development package, Mr Afridi said Rs24bn had been earmarked for roads, bridges and flyovers.
The elementary education sector will receive Rs6.2bn, while Rs5.512bn has been allocated for health. Another Rs3bn is reserved for irrigation and dams.
He said Rs2bn would be spent on solarising schools, Rs1bn on other education projects, and Rs5bn for villages and union councils in Katlang, Rustam, Takht Bhai and Garhi Kapura tehsils.