Federal govt fails to address economic challenges: CM

Peshawar
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Sohail Afridi, laid the foundation stone of an underpass project at the PDA Toll Plaza on Ring Road, Hayatabad, marking another milestone under the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s broader urban renewal agenda for the provincial capital.
The two lane underpass, being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1.6 billion, is expected to significantly improve connectivity and facilitate easier access to Bara Road, easing traffic congestion and enhancing mobility in one of Peshawar’s busiest corridors.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister was briefed on the progress of various initiatives being implemented under the Peshawar Revitalization Plan. Officials informed that development schemes worth Rs 21 billion have already been launched under the programme.
Substantial progress is also being made on the transport infrastructure component of the plan, with construction activities underway on the Dallazak Road Underpass, while the inauguration of the Pishta Khara and Jameel Chowk underpasses, as well as the Hazar Khwani Overpass, will begin soon. The briefing further highlighted that the Peshawar Revitalization Plan includes an extensive programme for the rehabilitation and beautification of 35 roads across the city, with an estimated cost of Rs 19 billion.
Work on 15 priority roads is scheduled to commence in the first phase of implementation. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi stated that the revitalization of Peshawar remains a key priority of the provincial government. He noted that the city has historically demonstrated remarkable resilience and generosity, hosting displaced populations from Malakand and the erstwhile tribal districts during times of crisis.
He said that the Rs 200 billion Peshawar Revitalization Programme had been finalized through a consultative process involving all relevant stakeholders, reflecting a shared commitment to addressing the city’s long standing development challenges.
He expressed the government’s resolve to ensure that all projects included in the plan are initiated and completed within the stipulated timelines. The Chief Minister described the Peshawar Revitalization Plan as a comprehensive framework designed to address both urban and rural challenges.
Emphasizing his middle class background, he said he remained fully cognizant of the issues faced by ordinary citizens and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering tangible improvements in public service delivery and quality of life.
He expressed confidence that the upcoming fiscal year would usher in greater peace, development and prosperity for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Referring to the prevailing political environment, the Chief Minister said that despite sustained propaganda against him since assuming office, he had remained steadfast in his principles and convictions.
He maintained that no political space was being given to those who continued to uphold their stated positions and ideological commitments.
Criticizing the federal government, he alleged that the country’s leadership lacked a coherent policy direction and had failed to effectively address the nation’s economic challenges. The Chief Minister stated that corruption amounting to Rs 5.3 trillion had been reported by IMF. He further observed that Pakistan’s population growth rate of approximately 2.5 percent, coupled with GDP growth of around 3.7 percent, represented a matter of concern.
He also pointed to declining exports and rising imports as indicators of flawed economic policymaking at the federal level. Provincial Minister for Local Government, Meena Khan Afridi, and other speakers also addressed the ceremony and highlighted various dimensions of the Peshawar Revitalization Plan and its anticipated impact on the city’s future development trajectory.a