KP govt collected Rs150bn revenue last fiscal year without new taxes: CM

PESHAWAR, Sep 26 (APP): Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi has said the provincial government collected Rs150 billion in revenue against a target of Rs130 billion during the last fiscal year without imposing any additional taxes.

Talking to senior journalists during an informal meeting at the Chief Minister’s House here, he said the provincial government had set a revenue target of Rs180 billion for the current fiscal year and expected collections to reach Rs 200 billion.

The CM said the government was focusing on governance, development and public service alongside its other political responsibilities. He said measures aimed at improving financial discipline and transparency had started producing positive results.

Afridi said a Rs 200 billion Peshawar Revitalisation Plan had been launched to address longstanding problems of the provincial capital. He said all projects under the plan were fully funded, with several schemes already at different stages of completion.

He said the completion of the plan would bring significant improvements to the city’s infrastructure and overall appearance. Work on the Outer Ring Road project was also progressing, which, he added, would help address traffic congestion in Peshawar on a long-term basis.

The CM said the provincial government was also undertaking major projects in the health sector, including the establishment of new hospitals in Peshawar and other selected regions to provide quality healthcare facilities closer to the people.

He said the government had taken steps to ensure transparency in development projects, particularly in contracts and related matters, and had sought to prevent corrupt practices. Merit and transparency, he added, were being ensured at all levels for effective utilisation of public funds.

Afridi said the provincial government was giving priority to peace and had been taking visible measures to improve the law-and-order situation. He termed peace a prerequisite for sustainable development and said efforts would continue to strengthen security in the province.

He said the provincial government was also focusing on development and public welfare despite challenges and expressed the hope that the current financial year would bring greater progress and prosperity to the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.