ISLAMABAD, May 09 (ABC): The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has utilized over Rs580 million during Fiscal Year 2025-26 under the World Bank-funded KP Rural Investment and Institutional Support Project. The project aims to improve rural infrastructure, public services, and institutional capacity in the merged districts.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the total cost of the project is Rs109.9 billion. The Agriculture, Irrigation, Public Health Engineering (PHED), Communication & Works (C&W), and Local Government departments are implementing the project.
The documents show that cumulative spending under the project reached Rs707 million by June 2025. For FY2025-26, the government allocated Rs4.2 billion for the initiative. Out of this amount, Rs580.46 million has already been utilized, showing a release rate of 12.29 percent. The project will continue until June 2031.
Under the Agriculture Department, authorities are promoting modern farming practices in rural areas. The department is also improving private-sector agricultural services to support farmers and increase productivity.
So far, officials have distributed 168 agricultural machines to support on-farm processing and value addition businesses. Authorities have also completed 145 rainwater harvesting and soil erosion control structures to strengthen water conservation efforts.
The project has introduced modern farming technologies in remote districts. Around 310 walk-in tunnel systems and 213 vertical farming units have been installed to help farmers improve crop yields and support year-round cultivation.
Project management and monitoring systems are now operational. The government has established the Project Coordination and Management Unit (PCMU), while monitoring and evaluation firms have also been hired to ensure transparency and efficient implementation.
In the Communication and Works sector, authorities have approved five out of 14 infrastructure schemes planned on state-owned land. The remaining schemes are under approval and PC-1 preparation.
The government is also pursuing land acquisition for 18 additional sites in coordination with the Finance Department, Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR), and district administrations.
Under the Public Health Engineering Department, consultants have been hired for the design and supervision of sanitation schemes. Officials are currently preparing 32 projects, including 13 drinking water supply schemes and 19 sanitation projects.
The Bajaur rehabilitation project has already received approval from the Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP). Meanwhile, planning documents are being prepared for projects in Mohmand, Khyber, Kurram, and Orakzai districts.
Authorities are also revising sanitation planning and financing models. Updated cost estimates will be included after the final designs are completed.
