Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has reported a budget surplus of Rs103 billion in the first quarter of the fiscal year, significantly surpassing the target of Rs45 billion. This performance underscores the provincial government’s strong fiscal management.
A report detailing the government’s activities over the past eight months highlights key achievements, including a 35% allocation of the budget to health and education—exceeding targets set by the IMF.
The flagship Sehat Card initiative has been reactivated, with Rs20 billion allocated since March 2024. Over 500,000 surgeries have been performed under the programme, reinstating critical health services for the population.
In agriculture, Rs20 billion was earmarked for wheat procurement to ensure food security. Additionally, Rs10 billion was allocated for free textbooks, and Rs4 billion was saved by recycling books. Another Rs10 billion has been reserved for providing free medicines this year.
Social welfare initiatives included providing Rs10,000 in financial assistance to 850,000 eligible families during Ramadan, while comparable programmes in Punjab and Sindh offered ration bags worth Rs3,500 and Rs5,000, respectively.
To tackle energy challenges, the KP government has launched a flagship solarisation project, focusing on both public sector buildings and low-income households. The Rs55 billion initiative includes Rs20 billion for equipping 13,000 government buildings such as hospitals, universities, police stations, and tube wells with solar power systems.
Additionally, 130,000 households will transition to solar energy under the programme. Of these, 65,000 families in settled and merged districts will receive solar systems free of charge, while the remaining will be offered systems at a 50% subsidy.
The solarisation plan is expected to ease the electricity crisis, lower energy costs, and reduce the province’s reliance on traditional power sources. Two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were signed between the Bank of Khyber and the KP Energy Development Organisation (KPEDO) to operationalize the project.
Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, who attended the signing ceremony on November 9, 2024, emphasized the government’s commitment to sustainable development.
By focusing on strategic financial management and sustainable energy solutions, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is positioning itself as a leader in addressing economic and environmental challenges.
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