KP govt, WB team review cooperation in energy, IT sectors

Peshawar - Advisor to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Finance Muzamil Aslam and Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shahab Ali Shah jointly chaired a meeting with the World Bank team on Friday to review ongoing collaboration and explore future avenues of partnership in the energy, information technology (IT) and digital sectors. Discussions centred on digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) interventions across the province, as well as the establishment of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Data Centre infrastructure. Both sides deliberated on strategies to strengthen the province's IT infrastructure and address existing technical and institutional challenges in the sector. On energy infrastructure, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government apprised the World Bank team of ongoing investments in hydropower generation projects and transmission-line networks. It was shared that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Transmission & Grid System Company (KPT&GSC) had been established to facilitate the evacuation and distribution of power. The provincial government reiterated its intention to channel green and renewable energy through these transmission networks to support industrial growth and other developmental needs. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government reaffirmed its commitment to modernising the province's IT infrastructure and expanding energy resources across the region in support of future digital and economic growth. The World Bank delegation commended the performance of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government, particularly highlighting the province's excellence in the IT sector. Both sides acknowledged the longstanding partnership between the World Bank and the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further strengthening cooperation in the digital and energy domains. The meeting agreed to form a joint working group comprising representatives of the World Bank and the KP Government to examine technical and other modalities.a