KP to earmark billions for power grid upgrade in merged tribal districts

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to set aside billions of rupees in the next fiscal year’s budget to improve and expand electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure in the merged tribal districts.

According to the details shared during an official review meeting, the planned spending is intended to help integrate the long-neglected districts into the national mainstream and support job creation through industrial and tourism-related development.

The meeting was chaired by Secretary Energy and Power Nisar Ahmed and focused on ongoing power sector development schemes as well as fresh proposals. It was attended by Tribal Areas Electric Supply Company (TESCO) Board Chairman Engineer Naeem Khan, TESCO Chief Executive Engineer Tahir Jamal, and other senior officials.

Participants examined the progress of development work being carried out with provincial government funding to strengthen the electricity network in Bajaur, Mohmand, Khyber, Orakzai, and North and South Waziristan.

During the meeting, TESCO Board Chairman Engineer Naeem Khan agreed to allocate Rs300 million for new schemes in the next fiscal year aimed at improving the electricity system in the merged districts.

Secretary Energy and Power Nisar Ahmed voiced concern over the fragile law and order situation in the tribal areas, while also appreciating what the meeting described as encouraging recovery targets achieved by the TESCO administration in electricity bill collection. He assured the department’s full cooperation and support for the implementation of power sector projects in the region.