CM Afridi vows stronger policing, better governance in southern KP

PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi chaired a comprehensive review meeting on Kohat Division to assess progress on the Annual Development Programme (ADP), law and order, governance, public service delivery, and development priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister announced the formal commencement of divisional performance review meetings following the approval of the provincial budget, said an official statement.
He said the initiative was aimed at ensuring effective implementation of the government’s priorities, timely completion of development projects, and measurable improvements in public service delivery across the province.
“The true measure of governance is not the quality of presentations but the confidence and satisfaction of our citizens,” the Chief Minister remarked, directing all departments to make public trust and tangible service delivery outcomes their foremost priority. Highlighting the government’s strategic priorities, Muhammad Sohail Afridi said the prevailing security challenges in southern districts require sustained attention and a coordinated institutional response. He expressed confidence that the new fiscal year would mark significant progress towards peace, stability and prosperity across KP.
The Chief Minister instructed administrative officers to maintain regular engagement with citizens, discourage bureaucratic practices that create barriers to public access, and transform government offices into responsive centres of public service. He further directed that development schemes nearing completion should be operationalized on priority to maximize public benefit. Emphasizing the need to address long-standing challenges in southern districts, the Chief Minister called for immediate progress on practical and sustainable solutions to ensure the provision of safe drinking water.
Reviewing the health sector, the Chief Minister directed the authorities to accelerate implementation of the District Headquarters Hospitals Revamping Programme. Taking serious notice of staff absenteeism at a Hospital in Hangu, he ordered immediate action against those responsible, stating that negligence in institutions directly linked to public health and human life would not be tolerated under any circumstances. Expressing concern and displeasure over delays in the Salt and Gypsum City Project in Karak, the Chief Minister instructed the relevant authorities to demonstrate visible progress within the next three months.
He observed that the project carries significant strategic importance for the province, with substantial potential to enhance provincial revenues while generating employment opportunities for local communities. He also sought a comprehensive list of all major pending public sector projects across the province and directed that schemes with the greatest public impact be completed on a priority basis.
During the briefing, participants were informed that work was currently underway on 377 development schemes under the Annual Development Programme 2025–26 in Kohat Division. It was reported that 99.6 percent of allocated funds have been released, while the utilization rate has reached 96.7 percent.
The meeting was further informed that the Annual Development Programme 2026–27 includes 75 new development schemes for Kohat Division with a cumulative estimated cost of Rs63.6 billion, alongside 80 ongoing schemes with a combined estimated cost of Rs95.2 billion. The Chief Minister directed all departments to pursue the new fiscal year’s objectives with professionalism, integrity and commitment by ensuring timely completion of development projects, improved governance, maintenance of law and order, adherence to merit, institutional transparency, and citizen-centric service delivery.