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Peshawar, The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa cabinet, led by Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Gandapur, has approved a series of significant initiatives aimed at boosting energy production, enhancing educational opportunities, and strengthening food security in the province. The decisions, which encompassed various sectors including the rehabilitation of hydropower projects and the transition to modern vehicle registration systems, were made during a recent cabinet meeting in Peshawar.
According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the cabinet ratified the rehabilitation of the 17 MW Ranulia Hydropower Project in Lower Kohistan at a cost of Rs 8.1 billion, with funding assistance from the Asian Development Bank. Additionally, the cabinet approved 327 kanals of land for the 88 MW Gabral Kalam Hydropower Project in Swat district, anticipated to generate over Rs 7.4 billion annually for the province. The 300 MW Balakot Hydropower Project on the Kunhar River in Mansehra also received approval for land and property acquisition based on a valuation study, with added compensation for local welfare and project environment improvements.
In terms of administrative reforms, the cabinet sanctioned the transition from manual vehicle registration to automatic motor vehicle registration smart cards, with costs significantly lower than other provinces, aiming to streamline processes and enhance efficiency.
Further supporting regional development, the cabinet decided to utilize funds from the erstwhile FATA Development Authority for micro-financing small businesses in the merged districts. Moreover, the acquisition of land for a new judicial complex in Panah Kot, Upper Dir, was confirmed, alongside the implementation of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Registration Rules 2022 to ensure the stable supply of goods through a regulated warehouse system.
Education also received a boost, with the cabinet approving free quality education from 7th to 12th grade and doubling both the monthly stipend amount and the number of beneficiaries starting the next academic year, ensuring no student is left behind due to lack of textbooks or educational facilities.