PM Shehbaz Announces Rs160 Billion Development Package for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

PM Shehbaz pledges full authority for tribal development council, enhanced counterterrorism resources, police reforms and action against corruption.

PESHAWAR, October 22, 2026 (TN ): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has announced Rs160 billion in federal funding for development projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), pledging to empower a council representing the province’s tribal districts to play a central role in regional development.

Addressing members of the Area Representative Development Council and tribal elders at Governor House in Peshawar on Thursday, the prime minister assured participants that the council would receive full authority to contribute to development initiatives, justice-related matters and technical education for young people.

The meeting was attended by Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, the provincial governor, the corps commander and senior government officials.

Federal Government Pledges Support for Tribal Districts

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged the sacrifices made by tribal communities in defending Pakistan, particularly during periods of heightened terrorism. He said the people of the tribal districts had endured significant hardships while maintaining their commitment to the country.

He reiterated the federal government’s resolve to protect the rights of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and ensure that development initiatives deliver tangible benefits to local communities.

The prime minister said a meeting held before the gathering had reviewed development projects, security arrangements, police training and equipment, and administrative matters across the province.

He directed the relevant authorities to accelerate key projects and remove obstacles affecting their implementation. The federal government would address bottlenecks in federal initiatives, while the governor and his team would work to resolve issues concerning provincial projects.

Wheat Supply and Counterterrorism Measures

Addressing concerns over wheat shortages, the prime minister said stocks were available in PASSCO warehouses and that the federal government would supply whatever quantity the province required.

He said the governor and chief secretary had been asked to visit Islamabad to coordinate arrangements for meeting the province’s needs.

Shehbaz Sharif stressed that hoarding would not be tolerated and directed that wheat should be made available to consumers at the same price charged by the federal government.

He also ordered improvements in police training and equipment, along with the completion of Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and Safe City projects. The federal government, he said, would provide the resources required for counterterrorism operations.

PM Vows Action Against Corruption

The prime minister expressed concern over what he described as weaknesses in security operations and police performance during the preceding 13 years. He referred to alleged failures to address theft and robbery cases and criticised the handling of law enforcement matters.

He also cited alleged financial irregularities in public projects, including a Rs100 billion corruption scandal involving drinking water schemes and a reported Rs30 billion fraud in Kohistan.

He said public funds were intended to support essential services such as education and healthcare and improve the future of younger generations.

The prime minister pledged that the government would work to recover misappropriated public money and ensure that development funds benefited the people for whom they were allocated.

Tribal Council to Receive Full Authority

Addressing council members, Shehbaz Sharif said they carried a significant responsibility to represent their communities and help address longstanding development challenges.

He assured them of the federal government’s full support and said the council would be empowered to participate in development planning, justice-related initiatives and technical education programmes.

He added that the provincial administration, governor, advisory council and military leadership would support the initiative. The government, he said, would mobilise available resources to protect the rights of the province’s residents.

Tribal Elders Welcome Development Initiative

Earlier, council chairman Shaukatullah Khan welcomed the prime minister, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and federal ministers on behalf of the council and residents of the 12 districts.

Describing the occasion as a moment of pride for tribal communities, Khan criticised the development and governance record of the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) administration, alleging that the region had experienced widespread terrorism, limited development and corruption.

He also welcomed the constitutional measures introduced through emergency arrangements and Governor’s Rule, saying they had created an opportunity for representatives to work for their communities.

Khan said council members had been selected through tribal jirgas and maintained that their close ties with their respective tribes would help them pursue development with greater accountability.

The council’s vice chairman also thanked the prime minister for the initiative and called for the council to be empowered to perform its responsibilities effectively.

Another member highlighted the impact of terrorism on local families, saying he had lost two relatives in attacks. He pledged that council members would work honestly and without personal greed to deliver improvements for the people of the region.

He added that tribal communities were prepared to cooperate with the government and military leadership in efforts to improve security and development.

The announcement of the Rs160 billion package and the proposed empowerment of the tribal council place development, security, public accountability and service delivery at the centre of the federal government’s stated priorities for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.