Caretaker chief minister asserts KP out of financial crunch

PESHAWAR: Caretaker Chief Minister Syed Arshad Hussain Shah on Monday said his government had steered the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province out of the financial crunch.

Speaking at a press conference, he said the province was faced with a financial crunch and there was no financial cushion to pay salaries to employees when he took charge of the office.Provincial ministers Barrister Feroz Jamal Shah Kakakhel, Ahmad Rasool Bangash, Dr Najeebullah and others were also present.

However, he said that through better teamwork and effective strategy, the caretaker provincial government managed to overcome the financial crunch, adding that now the province had Rs100 billion in the exchequer. The chief minister said that the caretaker government did not borrow even a single penny from any financial institution during this period.

He said that the issue of the outstanding dues of the province against the federal government was effectively taken up at the federal level. The chief minister said the provincial government was able to receive an additional amount of Rs64 billion from the Centre, adding that an amount of Rs4.1 billion was received through reconciliation between the KP Revenue Authority and the Federal Board of Revenue.

He said an additional amount of Rs20 billion was received under the National Finance Commission Award, an amount of Rs28 billion was received under the Accelerated Implementation Programme for the merged districts whereas an amount of Rs12 billion was received in the head of net hydel profit.

The chief minister said that despite difficult law and order situation, the government was able to hold the general election peacefully and transparently. He added that all this was possible because of the hard work and close coordination of civil administration, armed forces, police and other relevant entities.

Arshad Hussain said that the “Education for All Campaign” was launched in the province under which 33,000 children were enrolled in schools, 134 dysfunctional schools were functionalized, Digital Skills Labs were established in 10 different schools, 250 teachers were hired under Parents Teacher Council Funds and 961 students were provide with hostel facility.

“In Planning and Development sector, 57 developmental projects worth Rs206 billion were cleared from Provincial Development Working Party, different mega projects worth Rs109 billion were cleared from the Executive Committee of National Economic Council, similarly PC-1 of 1337 km long roads and 62 bridges worth Rs105 billion were cleared under Rural Roads Development Projects,” he Chief Minister said, adding that rationalization of 376 developmental projects was carried out resulting in a saving of Rs.24 billion to the provincial exchequer.

The chief minister said the electrification of three union councils in Shangla was completed for Rs485 million, an amount of Rs5.5 billion was received from the electricity produced by the provincial government being supplied to the national grid, successful negotiations were held with Asian Development Bank and European Union for the rehabilitation of flood affected Ranolia Hydro Power projects and Mini Micro Hydropower projects respectively.

Arshad Hussain said that during his tenure Mines and Mineral Profit Sharing Rules 2023 were framed and approved, 400 licenses were issued for attracting private investments whereas Rs2.7 billion would be received under the head of royalty and excise duty.