The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has included 33 mega development projects in its Annual Development Programme (ADP), allocating more than Rs 6 billion for priority initiatives with a combined estimated cost of Rs312.95 billion.
According to budget documents, the programme places special emphasis on dam construction, major road infrastructure improvements in health and education sectors, strengthening security infrastructure, and accelerating development in the merged districts. Among all projects, Bara Dam in Khyber district is the largest scheme with an estimated cost of Rs 36.5 billion.
Another major initiative includes a Rs20 billion special programme aimed at enhancing the capacity of police, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), district administration and judiciary in districts affected by security challenges.
For Peshawar, Rs14 billion has been proposed for the construction of Ram Das and Lahori Chowk underpasses on University Road, while Rs13.32 billion has been allocated for solarisation of homes in the merged districts.
In the health sector, nearly Rs10 billion each will be spent on two separate projects including the establishment of Hazara Institute of Cardiology and Burn Centre and the upgradation of Jamrud Hospital into a teaching hospital.
A green public transport project for Haripur, Abbottabad and Mansehra will also be launched at a cost of Rs9.90 billion.
Education sector initiatives include upgrading 130 middle schools to high schools and 251 primary schools to middle schools in the merged districts.
Funds have also been earmarked for the establishment of Chief Minister Model Schools and the introduction of artificial intelligence into the curriculum for Grades 6 to 12 across the province.
Infrastructure and transport projects include the upgradation of Abbottabad-Mansehra Road, land acquisition for Swat Expressway Phase-II, Ring Road Missing Link, Madyan to Kalam Road, Batkhela Bypass, dualisation of Nowshera-Charsadda Road, expansion of Warsak Road, construction of Shoghor to Shah Salim Road in Chitral, and multiple road projects to improve access to tourist destinations.
The development programme also includes projects such as Tora Wari Dam in Hangu, Khan Mir Kallay Dam in Orakzai, Judicial Academy Peshawar, Safe City project for merged districts, regional offices of Special Branch Police, Centre for Making and Manufacturing, and the Bajaur Integrated Development Package.
The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has allocated Rs 29 billion in budget 2026-27 for merged districts under Annual Development Program (ADP).
Presenting the budget 2026-27, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Sohail Afridi said that government has also set aside Rs 52 billion for merged areas in Accelerated Implementation Programme.
He told that government has also earmarked Rs 180 billion for ongoing expenditures in merged districts that is more than 12.5 percent as compared to previous financial year.
He added that allocated amount speaks of the government commitment to bring merged districts in development mainstream.