Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi stated that terrorism in the province has been self-engineered, and the federal government is withholding development clearances and funds. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faces Development Challenges Amid Federal Delays, Says CM Sohail Afridi.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Koto Hydel Power Project in Lower Dir, which has a 41-megawatt electricity generation capacity, CM Afridi emphasized that the province has enormous potential to produce cheap electricity. He praised the foundational projects initiated by former leadership and vowed to complete all ongoing development initiatives.
Federal NOCs and Funding Delays Hinder Progress
CM Afridi highlighted that federal No Objection Certificates (NOCs) are not being issued for key provincial projects, causing significant delays. “Terrorism in the province was self-started,” he said, noting that these obstacles are slowing economic growth. He added that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been turned into an experimental ground, while the federal government continues to withhold 300 billion PKR in due funds. “If these payments are released, the province can rapidly advance on the path of development,” he stated.
Koto Hydel Project: A Milestone for Cheap Energy
Officials briefed that the Koto Hydel Power Project was completed at a cost of 21.7 billion PKR. It will generate 207 million units of electricity annually, producing approximately 2.4 billion PKR in revenue. CM Afridi also inaugurated the Tormang-Razgram Road, an 18.5-kilometer stretch built at a cost of 1.5 billion PKR.
He noted that the provincial government is focusing on long-term planning to use hydropower resources as a foundation for economic growth. “These clean and affordable energy projects will boost employment and industrial development,” he said.
Power Transmission and Industrial Growth
CM Afridi announced that the province’s first power transmission line is being laid, enabling electricity distribution from 11 hydropower projects. He assured that locally generated electricity will be supplied to industries at discounted rates, with full government support for the provincial power distribution system.
He further lamented that NOCs for foreign engineers visiting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are being delayed, holding back projects worth billions of PKR. “This delay affects not only Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but the entire country,” he added.
Commitment to Public-Centered Development
CM Afridi praised former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision, stating, “I feel proud seeing all the projects started by Imran Khan. These initiatives were launched for the public, without considering which government would be in power at the time of their inauguration.” He reaffirmed that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa hold the first right to their province’s natural resources.
