What's new

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Updates

KP’s first-ever food policy focuses on agriculture, job creation

24 Dec 2020


Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Wednesday approved the first-ever food security policy for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, consisting of short, medium and long terms planning. — Photo courtesy KP CM Twitter



Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Wednesday approved the first-ever food security policy for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, consisting of short, medium and long terms planning. — Photo courtesy KP CM Twitter


PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Wednesday approved the first-ever food security policy for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, consisting of short, medium and long terms planning.

Final draft of the policy was presented to the chief minister in a meeting here on Wednesday. Agreeing to the draft of the policy, the chief minister approved the policy in principle.

He directed the authorities concerned to present the draft policy in the upcoming meeting of provincial cabinet for final approval, according to a statement.

Similarly, the chief minister also accorded approval to the proposed action plan to ensure implementation of the policy in letter and spirit. Besides others, senior member board of revenue and administrative secretaries of all the relevant departments attended the meeting.


The meeting was told that the policy was aimed at attaining sustainable food security, poverty alleviation and generating employment opportunities through achieving higher sustainable economic growth in the province. Short term, medium term and long term plans have been devised to ensure implementation of the policy.
CM directs planning dept to arrange funding for enforcement of action plan
The short term plan would be of two to three years duration that will require around Rs56 billion and medium term plan would be of four to seven years with an estimated cost of Rs109 billion whereas the long term plan would be of eight to 10 years to be implemented with an estimated cost Rs70 billion.

Under the short term plan, 19 different initiatives have been proposed to increase agricultural products in the province. Similarly, 24 different measures including construction of small dams, raising of the existing dams, development of maximum command areas of these dams and others have been proposed under the medium term plan whereas nine different measures including construction of big dams, cultivation of olive plants at vast scale and others have been proposed under the long term plan of the policy.


Regarding the estimated impacts of these plans, the meeting was informed that implementation of the short term plan would generate an additional income of Rs21 billion per annum. The medium term plan would generate an additional income of Rs18 billion per annum whereas the long term plan, on execution, would generate an income of Rs22 billion.

The policy clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of agriculture, irrigation and other allied departments with regard to achieve its goal.

It encompasses all the allied sectors of agriculture including food grain, fruits, vegetables, livestock and dairy products, fisheries, oil seeds and others. The policy provides a comprehensive strategy for increasing these products.

The policy also stresses the need for modern research in the field of agriculture and suggests measures to develop linkages among the government, academia, private sector and partner organisations. Similarly, the policy proposes establishment of agri-business development authority in the province.

Stressing the need for implementing the policy in letter and spirit, the chief minister directed the planning department to arrange the required funding for the implementation of the action plan.

He also directed the agriculture department to enhance its working capacity to get the action plan implemented. Similarly, he ordered the irrigation department to devise a plan along with timelines within two weeks for progress on dam construction projects.


Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2020
 
KP govt finalizes first-ever food security policy

December 26, 2020

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has finalised its first-ever Food Security Policy to ascertain food security in the province.

The final draft of the policy was presented to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan in a meeting, who agreeing to the draft, approved the policy in principle and directed the authorities concerned to present the same in the upcoming meeting of the provincial cabinet on Monday for final approval

The policy is aimed at attaining sustainable food security, poverty alleviation and generates employment opportunities through achieving higher sustainable economic growth in the province.

It was further informed that short-term plan would be of two to three years duration which would cost around Rs56.00 billion and medium-term plan would be of four to seven years with an estimated cost of Rs109.00 billion whereas the long-term plan would be of eight to ten years to be implemented with an estimated cost of Rs70.00 billion. Under the short-term plan 19 different initiatives/measures had been proposed to increase agricultural products in the province.

Similarly, 24 different initiatives including construction of small dams, raising of the existing dams, development of maximum command areas of these dams and others have been proposed under the mid-term plan whereas nine various measures including construction of large dams, cultivation of olive plants at vast scale and others have been proposed under the long-term plan.

With reference to estimated impacts of these plans, it was informed that application of the short-term plan would yield an additional income of Rs21.00 billion per annum, the mid-term plan would generate an additional income of Rs18.00 billion per annum whereas the long-term plan, on application, would yield an income of Rs22.00 billion.
 
K-P declares emergency in light of cold snap

Relief Department directs DCs to establish shelters for homeless

December 28, 2020

PESHAWAR: The provincial government has imposed an emergency in the province due to the on-going cold spell that has sent temperatures below freezing point at many places.

The Relief, Rehabilitation and Settlement Department has issued a notification to the district administrations, enabling them to establish temporary shelters for those who have fallen victim to the situation in the province.

It has also directed the district authorities to establish shelters for the homeless people and make available proper heating as well as provide them three hot meals. The notification further directed to shifting people who were living in houses with depilated buildings in the hills stations to these shelters in the event of heavy snowfall and torrential rains.

Deputy Commissioners in each district have the authority under the emergency to either establish new shelters or reopen the existing shelters and use it for the purpose.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has been also directed to provide tents and beds for these shelters as soon as possible despite the fact that DCs already have their own stocks of tents and beds in each district which could be used in these shelters.

They have been directed to contact DG PDMA in the event of a mass emergency.



Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2020.
 
NESPAK completed Survey and Feasibility report for Dir Chitral Motorway It will be Discussed with KPK govt & Soon stakeholders will agree on the feasibility report. There are 4 interchanges & have 4 tunnels. The longest tunnel is Five (5) kilometers.


1609597050374.png




1609597086644.png





1609597109574.png
 
𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐨f 𝐒𝐰𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐲


DG FWO performed the Groundbreaking of Main Service Areas of Swat Motorway near Katlang on 30 December 2020. Existing temporary facilities will be replaced with good quality proper Main Service Areas facilities for commuters very soon InshAllah.


1609615304115.png





1609615335472.png





1609615372158.png
 
National Freelancer Training Centers to be set up in three districts of KP


Hamza Zakir
Dec 24 2020

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Technology Board (KPITB), Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and five universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have signed multiple agreements for the establishment of National Freelance Training Program (NFTP) centers and the expansion of National Incubation Centers (NICs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to a press release, the NFTP centers will be established in University of Malakand, Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar and Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan while NICs will be established in Kohat University of Science and Technology and University of Swat.

The MoU signing ceremony was held in Islamabad. Advisor to Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Science and Information Technology Ziaullah Bangash was the chief guest of the ceremony. Special Assistant to CM KP on Information and PRs and Higher Education Kamran Bangash, Member Provincial Assembly Fasial Amin Gandapur, Federal Secretary on MoITT Shoaib Ahmad Saddiqui, Managing Director KPITB Dr. Sahibzada Ali Mahmud, Director KPITB Asim Jamsheed, Chairman PITB Azfar Manzoor & Vice Chancellors from the aforementioned universities also attended the ceremony.

While addressing the event, Mr. Bangash stated that youth are the agents of change and transformation of any nation. He added that investing in the nation’s youth will open new avenues of economic stability through digital transformation. He added that this partnership will prove to be a stepping stone towards the vision of Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan – a digitally resilient Pakistan.

“Expansion of National Incubation Centers will promote capacity building of universities involved and will provide sustainable income opportunities and play a pivotal role in creating new jobs in KP,” he declared.

Chairman PITB Azfar Manzoor said that the National Freelance Training Program aims to reduce unemployment by providing hands on freelance training to 22,800 individuals through 20 centers across Pakistan. Out of these, three centers in KP will train 1,350 individuals annually to monetize their skills through internet-based freelancing. He stated that National Expansion of NICs will strive towards establishing an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country.




 
PROJECT UPDATE: 𝗞𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶 𝗗𝗮𝗺 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 (𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲-𝟭)

It is a component of the Federal Govt’s least cost energy generation water storage development strategy, located in North Wazirstan District.

Work on stage-1 is in progress which includes Kaitu Wier Irrigation & Power Component; scheduled for completion by end Nov 2021.

It will help irrigate 16,830 acres of land in addition to hydel power generation of 18.4 MW

Credits: FWO



1610324922788.png





1610324943295.png
 
83.4 MW Kurram Tangi Dam (Stage-1) Project

Work on stage-1 is in progress which includes Kaitu Wier Irrigation & Power Component; scheduled for completion by end Nov 2021.

It will help irrigate 16,830 acres of land in addition to hydel power generation of 18.4 MW..


1610374395869.png
 
Kurram Tangi Dam Project - Working on stage-1 is in progress which are scheduled for completion by end of 2021. It will help irrigate 16,830 acres of land in addition to hydel power generation of 18.4 MW.


1610631912896.png
 
Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan inaugurated a new medical ward with 160 beds in Bacha Khan Medical Complex Swabi.



1610659813212.png
 
First foreign firm enters in Rashakai SEZ
By Gwadar Pro


1610718726431.png



In a major development, the Special Economic Zone Committee has approved the first Provisional Allotment to a foreign firm as the Zone Enterprise in Rashakai Special Economic Zone (RSEZ) in Peshawar.
The SEZ Committee of Rashakai SEZ has allocated 40 acres of land to Century Steel (Pvt) Ltd., which is owned by M/S Fuzhou Julitaihe International Company, a Chinese conglomerate engaged in manufacturing and sale of Iron and Steel products internationally. Fuzhou Julitaihe International Company owns steel mills in Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Ethiopia.

Century Steel Pvt Ltd. plans to invest USD 50 million and will produce 0.25 million tons of steel products in their plant in Rashakai SEZ. The project will consume 45 MW of electricity and employ 1000 manpower directly and indirectly. Resources from China have been mobilized and Chinese engineers and personnel are setting up a site office to execute the project without delay.

Hassan Daud Butt, CEO KPBOIT & SEZA has termed the development as momentous, saying it has heralded the dawn of the industrialization of KP as the first Zone Enterprise from China has been admitted to the Rashakai SEZ. “A lot of applications have been received for plots and many industries will be starting construction shortly at the Zone,” he added.

“Rashakai Special Economic Zone is welcoming industries like Pharmaceutical, Textile, Food & Beverages, Steel, and various engineering-related industries. This initiative by the Government of KP will provide direct & indirect job opportunities to 200,000 locals of the region once the SEZ is fully colonized. Investment of multi-billion is expected by industrialists from Pakistan and abroad. Online applications for RSEZ is open and applications of hundreds of acres have already been received,” he added.

Rashakai SEZ comes under the CPEC umbrella and is the first Industrial Cooperation Project between China and Pakistan. The 1000 acre SEZ will create 200,000 direct and indirect jobs and attract PKR 347 bn of investment. 10 MW of electricity at the Zone has been arranged through an 11 kV feeder. Work is in progress on the 160 MW, 132 KV grid station. Due to its excellent location on Motorway and proximity to Torkham Border and Central Asia, the Zone is expected to be the game-changer for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan.

On 14 September 2020, Pakistan and Chinese companies signed a Development Agreement (DA) for the purpose of preparing Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Rashakai. Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan was present on the occasion.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zone Development Management Company (KPEZDMC) and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) signed a DA agreement for undertaking development work at Rashakai SEZ.
 
Back
Top Bottom