CM Afridi chairs meeting on Malakand development, announces launch of Swat Motorway Phase II

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Thursday chaired a meeting of parliamentarians from the Malakand Region at the Chief Minister’s House to review mega development projects and discuss proposals for the upcoming Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2026–27.
According to a statement, the meeting held detailed consultations on ongoing development schemes in the region, future infrastructure projects and strategies to improve services in the sectors of education, health and connectivity.
During the meeting, the chief minister decided to formally initiate construction work on Swat Motorway Phase II, stating that the completion of the project would significantly boost economic activity in the Malakand region and surrounding areas while also promoting tourism.
Participants also reviewed progress on the Provincial Transmission Line Project Phase II. The chief minister directed the relevant authorities to take effective measures to address issues hindering progress on the project, stressing that its timely completion was essential for enabling the province to fully utilise electricity generated from its hydropower potential.
Mr Afridi also directed the concerned departments to expedite preparatory work for the establishment of the Shaheed Arshad Sharif University of Investigative and Modern Journalism.
He further instructed authorities to accelerate progress on the Livestock University Khyber Pakhtunkhwa project and ensure the early completion of the Engineering University under DFC scheme. The chief minister emphasised that mega projects in the Malakand region nearing completion must be finalised within the stipulated timelines, while work on newly approved development schemes should begin without delay so that their benefits could reach the public at the earliest.
The meeting also agreed in principle to upgrade hospitals in various districts of the region in line with local needs. Mr Afridi said improving public healthcare services remained one of the government’s key priorities.
On the occasion, he announced that designated royalty accounts would be established to ensure that revenues received under royalty arrangements were directly utilised for development in the respective districts.
The meeting also discussed several additional infrastructure and education initiatives, including Rustam–Ambela Road, Barawal–Mastuj Road, Dir Cadet College, Talash Bypass and Chitral Nursing College. The participants agreed in principle to include these projects in the forthcoming development programme.
The chief minister directed the participating parliamentarians to identify priority development schemes for their respective constituencies by March 15.
It was also decided that follow-up meetings would begin next week to ensure timely planning, prioritisation and effective implementation of development projects across the region.