Samar Bilour highlights KP's security challenges, development priorities

Peshawar - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Advisor on Information and Public Relations Samar Haroon Bilour, while addressing the media at Governor House in the presence of Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi, highlighted the key issues discussed during a high-level meeting held the previous day on the province's law and order situation, development priorities, and public concerns.Expressing profound grief over the martyrdom of police personnel, Samar Bilour extended her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and paid rich tribute to the sacrifices made by the police force. She said the Governor and the provincial team stood firmly with the families of the martyrs and assured them of all possible support. She emphasised that claims suggesting the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had completely returned to normal did not reflect the realities on the ground.'The fight against terrorism is not a political exercise; it is a struggle for our collective survival. The sacrifices of our police personnel are a source of pride for the entire nation, and our martyrs will always remain our national heroes,' she said.The Advisor stressed that, alongside acknowledging the sacrifices of police personnel, it was equally important to strengthen their professional and operational capabilities. She said the police and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) needed modern weapons, secure vehicles, tracking systems, and advanced protective equipment to combat terrorism effectively. She added that sustained support from the federal government was essential to enhance the operational capacity of both institutions.Referring to the high-level meeting held at Governor House the previous day, Samar Bilour said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior military leadership had participated in the session, which lasted approximately three and a half hours. During the meeting, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi presented a comprehensive briefing on the province's major challenges, public demands, and development priorities. Detailed discussions were held on law and order, infrastructure, education, public services, and the overall development needs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.She said the Prime Minister had acknowledged that the development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was integral to Pakistan's overall progress and that the people of the province deserved equal opportunities for quality education, economic advancement, and prosperity.'Our children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa deserve educational and development opportunities equal to those available to children in Lahore, Multan, and other major cities,' she said.The Advisor said the province's development needs had been discussed in detail with the Prime Minister and his team, adding that the federal government had assured the province of additional financial resources and support. She also emphasised the need to establish Danish Schools in underserved areas, including Bajaur, to ensure that children from disadvantaged backgrounds had access to quality education, modern facilities, and better opportunities for the future.Improving road connectivity, establishing modern educational institutions, developing information technology (IT) hubs, and expanding vocational training facilities were also identified as key development priorities. She said equipping young people with modern technological skills and professional training would expand employment opportunities and enable them to play a more productive role in the province's socioeconomic development.Samar Bilour further stressed the need for an effective monitoring and tracking mechanism for development projects initiated through Governor House. She said the proposed mechanism should document project commencement dates, expected completion timelines, and actual progress, enabling the public to monitor implementation and assess results. She maintained that development should not be measured merely by announcements or inauguration ceremonies but by the timely completion of projects and the delivery of tangible benefits to the people.Highlighting the challenges faced by residents of Peshawar, the Advisor said particular attention had been given to the deteriorating condition of roads and urban infrastructure. She observed that road excavations and ongoing gas, electricity, and other utility works had caused considerable inconvenience to citizens, underscoring the need for effective coordination among the relevant departments and the timely restoration of affected roads. She said improving Peshawar's roads, upgrading urban infrastructure, and resolving civic issues must remain key priorities on the province's development agenda.The Advisor appreciated Governor Faisal Karim Kundi's efforts to highlight the province's public concerns and development needs at the highest level. She reiterated that close coordination among the federal government, provincial institutions, the media, and the public was essential to achieving lasting peace, sustainable development, and prosperity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Concluding her remarks, Samar Bilour urged the media to highlight positive initiatives while continuing to report public concerns responsibly and objectively. She said fact-based journalism played a vital role in promoting accountability, informing the public, and ensuring that the voices and concerns of the people were effectively represented. Another Shangla miner sies in Darra Adam Khel coal mine accident Tags: