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By Tanveer Ahmed :
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has given the green light to two major development projects for the provincial capital, approving a zero-emission electric bus service for the Peshawar Ring Road and a new general hospital, as part of the Annual Development Programme 2026–27.
Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announced the decisions following a consultative session with parliamentarians from the Peshawar region at Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad. The meeting, attended by senators, members of the National Assembly, and provincial lawmakers, focused on identifying development priorities for the area .
Green Transport Initiative
The electric bus project represents a significant step toward sustainable urban mobility in Peshawar. The service will operate along the busy Ring Road corridor, aiming to provide modern, environmentally friendly public transport options for daily commuters while reducing vehicle emissions .
The chief minister directed that the project be included in the upcoming ADP, emphasising the government’s commitment to cleaner transport solutions. This initiative aligns with broader national and international interest in electric mass transit systems, with organisations like the Asian Development Bank expressing support for similar projects in other Pakistani cities .
Healthcare Infrastructure Boost
Addressing the growing healthcare demands of Peshawar’s expanding population, the provincial government approved the establishment of a state-of-the-art general hospital. CM Afridi instructed that the project be executed on a fast-track basis, prioritising both quality construction and timely delivery .
The new medical facility is expected to significantly enhance healthcare capacity in the provincial capital, which has faced increasing pressure on existing hospitals in recent years .
Traffic Management and Urban Planning
In addition to the two major projects, the chief minister approved a feasibility study for a second Ring Road. This strategic initiative aims to ease mounting traffic congestion in the city and support future urban expansion as Peshawar continues to grow .
Development Framework
CM Afridi directed lawmakers to submit constituency-based development proposals to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat by March 15 for consideration in the upcoming ADP cycle. He emphasised that project proposals should be guided primarily by public need and demonstrable development impact .
The chief minister reiterated that the forthcoming Annual Development Programme will be structured in line with the province’s overall development requirements and prevailing ground realities. He underscored that timely and quality completion of ongoing schemes will remain a central priority to ensure early realisation of development benefits for citizens .
Emphasising a citizen-centred approach, the chief minister stated that the new development programme will be formulated on realistic parameters, aligned with broader public needs and aimed at promoting balanced and sustainable development across the province .
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