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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Coming in power was the first experience of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) which claimed the slogan of “CHANGE”. Power in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was a chance for PTI to deliver and prove to become eligible to be a federation’s ruling party, 2013 general elections were indeed the most important elections in the history of Pakistan; bringing forward a major change in political outlook. KPK voters decided to give a chance to PTI which did not stand on aristocracy or family politics. The PTI led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government started its work by introducing reforms to build a lofty structure and avoided to follow the stereotype delivery in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. All efforts were made to introduce a transparent and merit based ruling system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The following reforms were accordingly introduced.

Initially following departments / organizations were established and restructured:

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment & Trade (KP-BOIT) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development & Management Company (KPEZDMC)
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Oil & Gas Company Limited (KPOGCL)
Establishment of SEZ
Restructuring of Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO)

On legislation front following initiatives were initiated:

The KP Right to Information Act; 2013
Public Private Partnership Act; 2014
Minerals Policy; 2014 / Tourism Policy; 2015 / Industrial Policy 2016 / Hydro Power Policy; 2016 / Investment Strategy & Investment Policy / Lease Policy; 2016
Working Groups for priority sectors i.e. Education, Health & LG.
Strategic Development Partnership FrameWork
Integrated Development Strategy

Strengthening the Provincial Police Force was the key agenda of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government to provide the safe and fear free living / environment to the public as well as investors which led to following measures:

Establishment of 06 specialized Police Schools
New incorporated Technological solutions
Establishment of Counter Terrorism Department
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Restriction of rented building Act; 2014
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa restriction of Hotel Business Act; 2014
Police Assistance Lines
Dispute Resolution Committees

Reforms introduced by the PTI Led Government are indeed result oriented but consumption of time for implementation and result orientation was mandatory. Said reforms have been implemented in letter and spirit and results though consumed time yet acknowledged by all quarters. First priority of the Government was to ensure transparency and control corrupt practices.

This effort produced positive results for the satisfaction of every quarter. The Government completely depoliticized Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police ensuring no interference either by the Chief Minister and the Cabinet Ministers. Taking notice of corruption charges all responsible police officers / officials were terminated or demoted. Similarly, appointments in the Police Force earlier made through political interference are now made through a merit based NTS system. Transparency International declared Khyber Pakhtunkhwa once the most corrupt Province. The PTI Government has ensured to wipe out corruption and even removed two (02) Cabinet Ministers. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government has also introduced free medical treatment in Government Hospitals and also launched a campaign “Sehat ka Insaf” which aimed to fight against Polio which was acknowledged by the World Health Organization. Besides, Sehat Card was also introduced and all those possessing BISP Card were extended the facility benefitting them all benefits of surgery and other treatments in public / private sector hospitals.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government has introduced the highest pay package for the Doctors serving in remote settled areas besides appointing more than 6000 Doctors and 2000 Nurses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Beside administrative improvement in all sectors has the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government also focused on Mega Projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa discussed as under:

NARAN CHAIRLIFT

Mega project of a chairlift from Naran to Lake Saiful Muluk identified by KP-BOIT in collaboration with TCKP has been finalized. The project has been awarded to a leading firm M/S Samson Group of Companies and is to be completed within a period of two (02) years at a total cost of more than Rs. 1000 million. The Provincial Government will be in receipt of Rs. 45.500 million per annum with 10% increase per annum. The project is likely to promote tourism in the area besides providing a safe and comfortable facility to the tourists.

BAAB-E- PESHAWAR

The Chief Minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mr. Parvez Khattak along with Mr. Imran Khan, Chairman PTI has inaugurated the latest 2 level flyover at Phase – III Square of Hayatabad. Said mega project was completed by M/S NLC in a record period of six (06) months at a total cost of Rs. 1.77 billion.

SWAT EXPRESSWAY

This mega project stretches from Nowshera to Chakdara covering Swabi, Mardan & Malakand Division. The Project was started in August; 2016 at a total cost of Rs. 36 billion and is to be completed by December, 2017. Swat ExpressWay is to shorten the journey from three (03) hours to one (01) hour only. This ExpressWay covers 81 KM from Col Sher Khan Interchange to Chakdarra and is four lane ExpressWay curtailing journey hours from three (03) to one (01) hour on one side and a comfortable / safe journey to the general public on the other hand.

SOCIAL UPLIFT INITIATIVES: MICRO HYDEL PROJECTS

356 Micro Hydel Projects under implementation. Total capacity 35 MW and completed 232 projects in 12 Districts of almost 25 MW providing clean and cheap electricity to off-grid / high load shedding rural areas to 35,000 people enhancing the projects to 1,000 sites serving approximately 1.0 million rural populations. Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing technical assistance and funding for the project, showing confidence in the capacity of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

MALAM JABBA SKI / CHAIRLIFT / HOTEL RESORT

A mega project of KP-BOIT in collaboration with TCKP is near its completion. The project was started in 2014. Two (02) components of the projects i.e. Ski & Chairlift was completed and inaugurated by Mr. Parvez Khattak, Chief Minister, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Mr. Imran Khan, Chairman PTI on 1st September, 2016. Building of 5 Star Hotel has been completed and interior furnishing is in progress. Estimated cost of the project is approximately four billion and the Provincial Government will be in receipt of Rs. 12.00 million per annum with 10% increase per annum.

BUS RAPID TRANSIT

The Provincial Government has launched a sustainable low carbon and climate resilient Urban Transport System Project in Peshawar. The Ground Breaking Ceremony was held on 19th October, 2017 and the Chief Minister inaugurated the project.

The main objective of the project is to provide improved quality of Public Transport along corridor – 2 in Peshawar. The project includes the following:

BRT route designed and built following international best practices and quality standards along corridor – 2.
Sidewalks on Street Parking mixed traffic lanes and non-motorized transport lanes along the BRT.
High capacity drainage system along the corridor.
BRT Depot.
Improvement of access roads for NMT and feeder services.
Energy efficient street lights and intelligent transport system for traffic management.

Estimated cost of the project is approximately Rs. 47 billion to be funded by the Asian Development Bank. The Project covers 26 KM from Chamkani to Hayatabad. The project is to be completed within a period of six (06) months and is to benefit 4,00,000 passengers daily. The BRT project is comparatively cheaper than similar projects in other Provinces. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government has allocated Rs. 1.00 billion to compensate citizens affected from the project.

BILLION TREES AFFORESTATION PROJECTS IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

The PTI led Government has launched an ever biggest afforestation program in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since November, 2014, titled “Billion Trees Afforestation Project”. This project is a game changer and flagship project of the green sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The project was initially planned for completion in five (05) years at a total cost of Rs. 2800 million but due to scarcity of funds, the duration of the project was curtailed to four (04) years with cost reduction to Rs. 2200 million. The Chief Minister has approved phase – II of the project for three (03) years commencing from 1st July, 2017 to 30th June, 2020 for new 50,000 ha plantation and maintenance of the assets developed under the project. Target of one (01) billion seeding has already been achieved in the shortest record period and it is the fourth biggest initiative of its type in the world.

For its marvelous achievement and unprecedented results, the project has received both National & International recognition. Due to the project, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been given membership of the BONN Challenge & Asia Projected Areas Partnership. Due to dynamic leadership, motivated staff, effective community investment and generous support of the Provincial Government the project has made investment of Rs. 12.50 billion so far under Phase I, II, III and has succeeded in raising around 1166.88 million seedlings physical progress is as under: In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa about 6,27,922 ha area has been treated / rehabilitated and 6.3% added to the Province Forest Resources and contributed about 1% to the Country Forest Area. The project has provided job opportunities to more than 500,000 local communities, 2000 families at their door steps in the shape of chowkidars of plantation. This project has created awareness in the community in terms of the importance of Forest and Forest Resources.

JUSTICE

The Peshawar High Court has introduced the E-Citizens Grievance Redressal System – a unique justice system in Province through which the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal areas, especially the distressed and poor segment of society, would get justice within hours. The PHC would now receive complaints and applications just on a phone call, SMS or email through the Human Rights Directorate. The litigants would also receive reports on progress in their cases through phone, email or SMS. The HRD mostly deals with the cases of violation of basic human rights.

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT REFORM UNIT (PMRU)

A cell established in the office of the Chief Secretary, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the aim to improve the performance of all tiers of Provincial Government through innovative use of information and communication technology. In this regard, the PMRU has spearheaded multiple reforms to improve governance at the district and Provincial levels.