Peshawar: The KP government has formally approved the establishment of a dedicated Project Management Unit to implement the proposed Gandhara Valley City project on fast tracks.

The approval was accorded in the 7th board meeting of Peshawar Development Authority held in Peshawar with Chief Minister Mahmood Khan in the chair.

Chief Minister Mahmood Khan directed the Peshawar Development Authority to immediately advertise the key positions for the establishment of the PMU and set timelines to complete hiring process in minimum possible time. These key positions include one post of Project Manager, four positions of Deputy Project Managers, seven posts of Assistant Project Managers and two positions of Land Revenue Experts.

He further directed the quarters concerned that professionals and experts of the relevant field be hired from market for the PMU and ensure strict adherence to the relevant rules and regulations in vogue.

The forum was told that the proposed “Gandhara Valley City” covering 108000 Kanal of land would have residential and commercial portions in addition to media enclave and provincial secretariat etc adding that state of the art civic facilities would be available in the city.

It was informed that land acquisition process for the project has been started under the land sharing formula and consultant has been hired for the master planning of the project, and master plan of the project would be completed by April next year. The Chief Minister assigned Commissioner Peshawar to lead and overseas all the matters related to the fast track implementation of the project.

Provincial cabinet members Taimur Saleem Jhagra and Kamran Bangash, MPA Pir Fida Muhammad, Additional Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, administrative secretaries of concerned departments, Commissioner Peshawar, DG PDA and other board members attended the meeting.