PESHAWAR: The Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) has approved 32 development schemes with an estimated cost of Rs167.45 billion.

The meeting was held in Peshawar on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary Planning and Development Department Shakeel Qadir through video link. The meeting was attended by members of the PDWP and concerned departments.

The development schemes pertained to multi-sectoral development, health, education, urban development, local government, home, water, forestry, agriculture, energy & power, and sports & tourism sectors.

The meeting discussed 40 schemes related to various sectors and approved 32 schemes with an estimated cost of Rs167,459.556 million, wherein 18 schemes were cleared for inclusion in the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) 2021-22, and 8 schemes were deferred due to deficiencies in project documents/PC-I and were returned to the respective departments for rectification.

In merged tribal districts, schemes about promotion of agricultural and horticultural activities were approved.

In health sector the approved schemes include upgradation of Tehsil Headquarters Hospital (THQ) Hospital Bisham from Category-D to Category-C Hospital, District Shangla (PC-II approved by PDWP on 08/10/2019); upgradation of five basic health units (BHUs) to rural health centres (RHCs) on need basis, sub-scheme: upgradation of BHU to RHC Zaroobi district Swabi.

Sports and tourism schemes include development of roads to tourist areas in Malakand Division, construction of access roads to tourist areas destination in Hazara Division.

In multi-sectoral development; beautification of various bazaars the approved schemes include provision for contractors decretal accrued liabilities, land compensation and uncashed cheques sub-scheme; Mehboob-ur-Rehhman Tanoli Advocate vs Collector land acquisition and others, Abbottabad etc and acquisition of land for construction of Havelian Sara-e-Nehmat Khan Road (Rs1.2728 million).

The local government schemes include F/S for establishment of park at Peshawar.

Higher education scheme include establishment of research incubation and pharmaceutical/nutraceutical/cosmeceutical research centre for the commercialisation of academic research through local farming and industry at University of Swabi (PSDP 2021-22).

Agriculture schemes include enhancement of Agriculture land productivity through improved soil and water conservation practices in KP; strengthening and development of seed potato cycle in KP; establishment of technical support fund for agribusiness (horticulture) development and diversification through matching grant support to farmer, agribusiness enterprises and other private sector actors; and community dairy and meat development program.