Khyber Pakhtunkhwa welcomes revolutionary reforms

The province sets sights on infrastructure development to establish a corruption-free economy

August 14 is a momentous day in our struggle for independence. On this day, Muslims of the subcontinent secured a sovereign homeland, under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Our forefathers had rendered great sacrifices for Pakistan under the banner of the All India Muslim League. Pakistanis celebrate this day every year with great zeal throughout the world.
Like other leaders, Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Khan, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Haji Sahib Turangzai were prominent leaders of the Frontier Muslim League, who had played a significant role in Pakistan Movement. On this occasion the revolutionary reforms introduced in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province need a special mention.
A democratic government is functioning smoothly in the province and its norms are fully implemented. There is complete political freedom in the province. With the introduction of local government bodies, people's problems would now be resolved at the grassroots level.
New reforms have been introduced for economic development of the province. The chief minister has announced that all sick industries will be reopened. Work is also going on to explore natural resources of the province.
The China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC), a gigantic $46 billion infrastructure development from the Chinese city of Kashgar to the port of Gwadar in Pakistan, will usher in a new era of prosperity in the region. There are 16 proposed economic zones for the province in the CPEC. This huge project would bring great advantages to the province as thousands of new jobs would be created.
"In KP, one can see the supremacy of merit, transparency of institutions and appointment of honest officers," KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak said in a recent media interaction in Peshawar.
The province's education sector has been overhauled. A unified English curriculum is being introduced in all schools across the province. Now school data is available online. It has been made compulsory for teachers to mark their attendance. The government has hired 10,000 teachers, and 25,000 more are to be appointed soon.
Free textbooks are provided to students in primary schools. Terror-hit schools are being reconstructed. Two international education cities are under construction in Swabi and Nowshera districts where Oxford University curriculum will be introduced.
"People will get relief because of the great changes made in the education and health sectors," said Khattak during a press conference.
The health system has improved significantly. The Sehat Ka Insaaf campaign, initiated by the local government, has so far immunised more than 800,000 children against nine preventable diseases. A network of new hospitals will be extended to all far-flung areas. All central hospitals have been provided with the latest equipment. A biometric system has been introduced to ensure doctors' attendance in hospitals. Specialist doctors have been posted in rural health units. A new cancer hospital will become operational next year. Free gynaecological check-ups and supporting medicines along with Rs2,700 are provided to pregnant women.
Reforms have also been introduced in the police department. The police system is now free from political interference. Access to police services is available through SMS. Law and order has improved and incidents of terror have come down to a great extent.
Peshawar High Court has introduced a unique justice system called e-Citizen Grievance Redressal System. Through this system people can get justice within hours. People can also inform the government about their grievances through Facebook and Twitter accounts of the KP. It has been ensured that patwaris do not take bribes and land records are being computerised for clean transactions.
A total of 365 new micro-hydel projects have been initiated by the local government all over the province to overcome the energy crisis.
The historic beauty of Peshawar city has been restored and its outdated transport system is being replaced with a state-of-the-art metro communication system.
The government has launched a massive one billion tree plantation drive across the province to improve the environment.
The provincial government has also abolished VIP culture for ministers and other dignitaries. If all these revolutionary measures are fully implemented, the day is not far when the war-stricken and terror-hit province would be declared a model province in South Asia.
jehan@khaleejtimes.com

• Pakistan