PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Sunday hinted at diverting Annual Development Programme’s funds to food subsidy next year.

Addressing a rally in the provincial capital, he said that he was standing with the people, who were facing price hike in that critical situation. He lauded the workers of ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf for participating in the rally.

The participants of the rally chanted slogans in favour of PTI and against the opposition parties. The lawmakers and local leaders of PTI attended the rally.

The chief minister said that many friends suggested him not to hold public rallies in a situation when people were hit hard by the price hike. However, he said that he turned down the suggestion rather vowed to reach the people and create awareness among them about the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Hints at diverting ADP funds to food subsidy

Justifying hike in prices of daily use commodities, he said that the entire world was facing the phenomenon after the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.

Touching upon the three year performance of his government, Mr Khan said when the provincial government came into power three years ago, it had to face a number of challenges, the merger of tribal areas being top of them.

He said that merger of former tribal areas with the province was a complicated and difficult task but because of the full support and visionary guidelines of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the provincial government completed the entire process in the short time of two years. “Now the government is focusing on the accelerated development of these areas,” he added.

The chief minister said that completion of Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit project was another challenge for the government that benefited thousands of commuters on daily basis.

He said that completion of the first phase of Swat Motorway and launching of Rashakai Special Economic Zone were two other important achievements of the government.

The chief minister said that government was working under a well-conceived plan to improve agriculture, industry and other sectors. He added that progress was being made on Gomal Zam and Tank Zam dams to bring the huge chunk of barren land in southern districts under cultivation to ensure food security of the province.

He claimed when Imran Khan became prime minister, the country was about to be declared bankrupt. However, with the support of friendly countries, the economy of Pakistan was in stable condition, he added.

“Our healthcare system is the best one in Pakistan and the entire world,” the chief minister claimed. He said that government planned to launch Kisan Card (farmer card) for providing seeds, fertilizers and pesticides to growers at subsidised rates.

He said that government would also launch education card to bear educational expenses of the talented students. He said that he had allocated Rs10 billion for launching Insaf Food Card to give some relief to the poor people by providing them food items at subsidised rates.

He said that the plan of Insaf Food Card was set aside for time being after Prime Minister Imran Khan announced relief package under which 70 per cent would be given to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The chief minister said that work was in progress on various developmental schemes worth Rs142 billion in Peshawar district whereas projects worth Rs1 billion in each constituency of the district would also be started. He added that a tertiary hospital under public-private partnership would also be established in Peshawar.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2021