A weekly review meeting on governance and fast track development matters was held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Shahab Ali Shah. The meeting reviewed progress on anti-encroachment operations, price control of essential commodities, and uplift plans for the provincial capital. Administrative Secretaries and senior officials attended the meeting, while Deputy Commissioners participated via video link.
The Chief Secretary was briefed in detail on the encroachments removed during the week. It was informed that, upon identification by relevant departments, district administrations have launched operations across various areas. The Deputy Commissioner of Swat reported that encroachments had been cleared from several sites, including Fizagat. The Chief Secretary directed that all cleared areas be secured and marked with boundary posts to prevent illegal reoccupation.
Deputy Commissioners of Buner and Abbottabad also briefed the meeting on their ongoing anti-encroachment drives, while the Deputy Commissioner of Peshawar informed that action had been initiated against illegal housing societies. He added that anti-encroachment operations were continuing in coordination with market associations, particularly around Board Bazaar and adjoining areas.
The meeting was further briefed on the province’s stock position of wheat flour and sugar, along with a comparative analysis of the prices of sugar, wheat flour, and tomatoes. The Chief Secretary directed the Food Department to continue taking proactive measures to stabilize prices of essential commodities.
The meeting was informed that the first quarterly review meetings at the Planning and Development Department would commence tomorrow to accelerate implementation and timely completion of development projects. It was noted that key projects were being tracked under the Project Physical Tracking System. The Chief Secretary emphasized that any planning officer failing to maintain updated tracking sheets would face disciplinary action, stating that delays in public welfare projects would not be tolerated.
Reforms were said to be underway in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Unit of the Planning and Development Department, with a new tracking system being launched to support decision-making and expedite implementation of PPP projects. Technical work is in progress on major projects, including the Daraban Economic Zone, Peshawar–Dera Ismail Khan Motorway, and Swat Motorway Phase-II.
Director General PDA briefed the meeting that a PC-I for the uplift of Peshawar had recently been approved, and work on the capital’s improvement projects would begin soon. He added that work on the Northern Section of the Ring Road Missing Link—from Warsak Road to Nasir Bagh—was progressing as per timelines. Issues related to Zones 1, 2, and 5 of Regi Model Town were also being addressed, with the Commissioner Peshawar engaged in negotiations with relevant stakeholders.
The Communication and Works Department is set to construct eight schools under light-gauge structure technology, which will ensure low-cost and time-efficient construction. The same technology will be applied to hospitals and schools to ensure swift completion of public welfare facilities.
The Chief Secretary was further briefed that public participation plays a vital role in service delivery. For this purpose, the Chief Secretary’s Office has designated the official account @CSKPOfficial for receiving public complaints and suggestions. Reported issues are promptly forwarded to the concerned departments and Deputy Commissioners for action, resulting in quick redressal of public grievances.
As part of this initiative, the Chief Secretary has urged citizens to report any neglected or damaged public parks in their areas by tagging the official account @CSKPOfficial along with the location and pictures. Immediate action will be taken on the information received. This initiative is also an integral component of the Good Governance Roadmap Reform Agenda.