Federal government of Pakistan has canceled 91 out of 177 ongoing development projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), sparking concern and debate over the future of infrastructure and public services in the region. According to the Department of Planning and Development, the total cost for the completion of these projects was estimated at PKR 1,361 billion. Among the canceled projects, many were already 70% complete.
Notable among the shelved projects are the Swat Motorway Phase II and the Institute of Petroleum in Karak. These initiatives were considered crucial for enhancing transportation and energy education in the province. The Institute of Child Health in Batkhela, which included a much-needed burn center, along with the Sarozai Dam in Hangu, were also removed from the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).
Additionally, the expansion of Tanda Dam and several other water resource projects have been dropped. One of the most controversial cancellations is the Chashma Right Bank Canal Gravity Project, which had previously received approval from the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).
The Department of Planning and Development further disclosed that other significant projects, such as the Engineering and Women’s University in Mardan and various road construction initiatives, have also been excluded from the PSDP. The abrupt termination of these projects raises questions about the strategic direction of infrastructure development in KP and the potential socioeconomic impacts on local communities.
Local leaders and residents have expressed their dismay, emphasizing that many of these projects were vital for regional growth and stability. The federal government’s decision comes amid broader financial constraints, yet the abrupt nature of these cancellations has left many in KP feeling neglected.
