Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress of WAPDA's major hydropower and water resource projects, directing authorities to remove bottlenecks and expedite work on key development schemes.

The meeting was attended by provincial cabinet members Riaz Khan and Muzammil Aslam, MNA Sajid Mohmand, the Federal Secretary for Water Resources, the Chairman of WAPDA, and senior federal and provincial officials.

Officials briefed the meeting on the progress of the CRBC Lift Canal Project, Mohmand Dam, New Munda Headworks, and Dasu Hydropower Project.

The chief minister directed authorities to ensure the early acquisition of land for the CRBC Lift Canal Project and provide security for personnel working on the scheme. He said the project would play a vital role in strengthening the province's food security by bringing more than 295,000 acres of barren land under cultivation.

He said the project had suffered unnecessary delays due to a lack of attention from the federal government, resulting in a significant increase in its cost. Afridi stressed that while the provincial government would fulfill its financial commitments, the federal government should also ensure the timely release of its share of funds.

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Officials informed the meeting that the CRBC Lift Canal Project is being executed in six packages and is expected to be completed between 2027 and 2030, with the federal government financing 65 percent of the project and the provincial government contributing the remaining 35 percent.

Regarding the Mohmand Dam Project, the chief minister directed officials to immediately resolve issues related to the acquisition of 81 acres of land required for the Right Bank Irrigation Canal. He also instructed that tenders for development schemes for local communities under the project be issued within one month.

The meeting was informed that 54 percent of work on Mohmand Dam has been completed, with the project scheduled for completion by September 2028. Upon completion, the dam will irrigate 17,742 acres of land, generate 800 megawatts of electricity, and provide 300 million gallons of drinking water daily to Peshawar.

The meeting also reviewed the progress of the New Munda Headworks and Dasu Hydropower Project. Afridi directed officials to remove all obstacles delaying the Dasu project, describing it as a national asset and assuring WAPDA of the provincial government's full cooperation for its timely completion.