PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Sunday chaired a high-level meeting to review progress on the province's power generation and transmission projects, issuing directives for their timely completion to fuel industrial growth and economic stability.
Focus on Hydropower and Transmission Infrastructure
During the meeting concerning the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Transmission Line and Grid System Company, CM Afridi was given a detailed briefing on ongoing initiatives. He directed authorities to ensure all transmission line projects are finished within their deadlines while maintaining high-quality standards. Emphasizing the strategic importance of energy, he stated that hydropower projects would be completed on a priority basis, with the generated electricity supplied to industries at affordable rates.
Officials informed the meeting that upon completion of the current projects over the next four years, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will add 800 megawatts to its power grid. Significant work is already underway, including the laying of a 120-kilometer transmission line from the Mataltan Power House to the Chakdara Grid, with 40 kilometers of Lot One currently in progress.
Project Status and Future Timeline
The review revealed substantial progress on several fronts. The 36-megawatt Daral Khwar Hydropower Project has been completed, while seven other projects with a combined capacity of 224 megawatts are already operational. The 84-megawatt Gorkan Mitaltan project is 87 percent complete and is slated to become operational by December 2026. Looking further ahead, the 95-megawatt Gabral Kalam and the 215-megawatt Madain Hydropower Projects are expected to be finalized in 2027.
CM Afridi underscored that these power projects are vital for the province's long-term prosperity, stating they would play a key role in industrial growth, economic stability, and job creation. He stressed that public tax money is a sacred trust and warned that no negligence or irresponsibility in project execution would be tolerated. "We are not thinking about the next election, but about the next generation," he affirmed.
Immediate Inquiry into Zamung Kor Incident
In a separate but equally significant development, Chief Minister Afridi paid a surprise visit to Zamung Kor, a model institute for orphaned and underprivileged children. Following the visit, he ordered an immediate inquiry into the recent removal of children from the facility.
The Chief Minister met with the children and administration, issuing on-the-spot directives to address their welfare. He instructed authorities to ensure the provision of hygiene kits, install cameras in classrooms, and recruit required teaching staff without delay. He also approved the establishment of a dedicated complaint cell for the children.
Digitalization and Support for Students
To enhance transparency and support, CM Afridi directed the digitalization of Zamung Kor's accounts and stipend payment systems. He announced that the provincial government would bear the college fees of students enrolled in private institutions and allocate a special quota for the children under the ETEA merit scholarship program. Furthermore, he ordered the provision of better transport facilities for the institute.
During his inspection of various sections, including the girls' campus, the Chief Minister personally reviewed the quality of food being provided. He emphasized that the care and protection of these children is the government's constitutional, moral, and humanitarian responsibility, a duty he pledged to oversee personally.
