On Friday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Finance Minister Aftab Alam Afridi presented a substantial Rs416.3 billion Annual Development Plan (ADP) for 2024-25, marking a 38% increase over the previous year’s allocation of Rs301 billion by the caretaker administration. Despite this rise, the ADP is slightly lower than the Rs418 billion development outlay announced in 2022-23.
The ADP 2024-25 encompasses a variety of development funds targeting settled and merged areas, local government systems, accelerated implementation programs for merged areas, donor-funded projects, and the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). The budget documents indicate a division of Rs120 billion for settled districts and Rs36 billion for the development of merged districts. Additionally, Rs24 billion is designated for the district annual development plan, supporting the two-tier local government system, which includes tehsil, village, and neighborhood councils.
Furthermore, Rs79 billion will be utilized in the merged areas under the Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP), while Rs130.59 billion will be sourced from foreign project assistance. The federal government will contribute Rs24.4 billion through the PSDP.
Key sector allocations within the ADP include:
- Multi-sectoral development: Rs65.9 billion
- Road construction: Rs46.6 billion
- Energy and power department: Rs30.2 billion
- Health department: Rs32.4 billion
- Elementary and secondary education: Rs23.2 billion
- Urban development: Rs23.1 billion
- Water sector: Rs21.7 billion
Several departments received comparatively smaller allocations, including:
- Environment: Rs67 million
- Excise Taxation and Narcotics Department: Rs177 million
- Housing Department: Rs302 million
- Information: Rs71 million
- Labour Department: Rs152 million
- Public-Private Partnership: Rs224 million
- Food Department: Rs308 million
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Highlighting major developmental initiatives, the finance minister announced Rs4.4 billion for the Higher Education Department, which includes plans to establish 30 new colleges in rented buildings and a Centre of Excellence for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM).
Significant projects planned for the next fiscal year include the Chashma Right Bank Canal (Left-Cum-Gravity) project, with a Rs10 billion allocation aimed at irrigating 300,000 acres to boost the province’s food self-sufficiency. Additionally, Rs12 billion is set aside for various employment schemes, such as the Ehsaas Rozgar Programme, Ehsaas Nojawan Programme, and Ehsaas Hunar Programme, which collectively aim to provide jobs for 100,000 youths in the province.
In the road sector, the government plans to launch major projects in public-private partnerships, including the Dir Motorway and Dera Ismail Khan Motorway. The health sector will see Rs37 billion allocated for the Sehat Card Plus health insurance program and Rs10 billion for purchasing medicines in public-sector hospitals.
Overall, the ADP reflects a comprehensive approach to development, addressing key areas such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, and employment to foster growth and improve living standards across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
