The federal government has taken up a Rs69.893 billion irrigation and agricultural development KP scheme meant to strengthen canals and farm livelihoods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The KP Resilient Irrigated Agriculture Livelihoods Development Project was among major schemes considered by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP), the federal forum that reviews large public investment proposals before they move further in the planning process.
Funding is expected from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) — a multilateral lender that finances infrastructure in member countries — and from the provincial government. Officials framed the package as support for irrigation infrastructure and agricultural livelihoods across the province.
How the project is expected to be funded
Under the proposed financing plan, the ADB is expected to contribute Rs56.133 billion, described as around $200 million. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government would provide another Rs11.692 billion, including money for land acquisition.
That split would leave most of the capital cost with external financing, while the province covers a smaller share tied in part to acquiring land needed for the works. The figures are those set out for the project as considered at the federal level; final loan and budget steps would still have to follow the usual approvals.
What works are planned
The KP irrigation project, as described at the CDWP, focuses on three canal-related components. They are the rehabilitation of the Pehur Main Canal, construction of the Mulkhow Irrigation Distribution System, and an extension of the Pehur High Level Canal.
Together, those works are intended to improve how water reaches farmland and to support agricultural livelihoods. The public description centres on infrastructure and livelihoods rather than naming every tehsil or crop; the stated aim is better irrigation across the province through these canal upgrades and new distribution works.
How it reached the federal forum
The project was considered at a CDWP meeting chaired by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal. At the same sitting, the forum reviewed 14 development projects from across the country with a combined estimated cost of Rs226.48 billion.
Including this agricultural development KP package in that batch places the irrigation plan among the larger schemes on the federal development agenda for the province. What comes next — detailed design, land processes, and disbursement — will depend on the financing and implementation steps that follow CDWP consideration.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Federal sarkar ne Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ke liye qareeban 69.89 arab rupay ka abpashi aur zarai project haath mein liya hai. Is mein canals theek karne aur naya irrigation system banane ka plan hai. Pysa Asian Development Bank aur KP sarkar dono se aaney ki umeed hai. Behtar pani pahunchne se kisanon ki faslon aur rozgar ko madad mil sakti hai, lekin zameen lene ka amal bhi shamil ho sakta hai.
