Peshawar – Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, formally inaugurated the Package-I of the Northern Section (missing link) of the Peshawar Ring Road.
On the occasion, it was informed that newly-constructed Package-I comprises a 2.1 kilometre dual carriageway with three lanes each, completed at a cost of Rs2 billion. Moreover, civil work on the remaining packages of phase-1 is also progressing at rapid pace. It was also told that, the total estimated cost of Phase-I, stretching from Warsak Road to Nasir Bagh Road stands at Rs9.6 billion adding that tenders for Phases-II and III of the missing link have already been issued.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, the Chief Minister emphasized that completion of this critical missing link will significantly ease urban traffic congestion and improve mobility for residents of Peshawar. He also mentioned the Peshawar Revitalization Plan, describing it as a comprehensive development package valued at Rs200 billion, under which projects worth Rs171 billion have already been approved.
He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government has delivered major development initiatives for Peshawar, including the Bus Rapid Transit system and the ongoing revitalization programme. He added that, as the provincial capital, Peshawar’s urban development and aesthetic improvement are central to projecting a positive image of the province.
The Chief Minister informed that the feasibility study for the Outer Ring Road project would also be completed as soon as possible. Responding to criticism from certain quarters regarding the revitalization initiative, he said that objections raised at the outset were unfounded, adding that if any credible evidence of corruption is presented, the government will take immediate action.
On intergovernmental fiscal relations, the Chief Minister observed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is being treated unfairly under the National Finance Commission Award, particularly with regard to the exclusion of the population of the merged districts from its due share. He noted that a revised NFC formula could increase the province’s share from 14.6 percent to approximately 19 percent, adding that nearly Rs500 billion annually is being distributed in a manner that is not equitable.
Reaffirming his government’s position, the Chief Minister announced the beginning of a renewed and coordinated effort to secure the province’s constitutional rights, stating that all political parties will be taken on board to collectively advocate for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Highlighting the province’s contribution to the energy sector, he said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produces approximately 400 million cubic feet of gas per day, of which only 150 MMCFD is consumed within the province, while the remaining 250 MMCFD is supplied to other provinces and the federation.
He underscored that, under the Constitution, priority rights over natural gas usage rest with the producing province. He further added that the province is also generating surplus electricity, which is being supplied to other regions.
The Chief Minister also pointed out disparities under the AGN Qazi formula, noting that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa receives Rs36 billion annually compared to Rs65 billion allocated to Punjab, terming this a clear inequity and injustice.
The KP Minister for Local Government and Higher Education, Meena Khan Afridi, Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information and Public Relations, Shafi Jan, members of the National and Provincial Assemblies from Peshawar, and officials from the Local Government Department and Peshawar Development Authority were also present at the event.
