Peshawar – Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, met with the Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) Ms Anita Hirsh, at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House in Islamabad.
The meeting focused on matters of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on strengthening cooperation and expanding the strategic partnership between the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the World Food Programme.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further enhancing collaboration in priority sectors. The dignitaries held detailed discussions on food security, climate change, stunting, and the issue of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi underscored that the Chashma Right Bank Lift Canal Project is indispensable for bringing 295000 of acres of land under cultivation, increasing agricultural productivity, and strengthening food security across the province.
He noted that the provincial government allocates funding for the project every year under its Annual Development Programme (ADP) but the Federal government has yet to provide its committed share of financing.
The Chief Minister said that the provincial government is making substantial investments in irrigation canals, tube wells, and other agricultural initiatives to enhance food security. He added that significant investments have also been made in afforestation and forest conservation.
He noted that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa carries more than 45 percent of Pakistan’s forests, with forest cover extending over approximately 26 percent of the province’s total land area.
Highlighting the growing impact of climate change, the Chief Minister said that flash floods and cloudburst incidents in the province’s mountainous regions are causing extensive damage to livelihoods, infrastructure, and the local economy. He informed the delegation that the provincial government has disbursed more than Rs15 billion in compensation to flood-affected communities in Buner, Shangla, Swat, and Bajaur. He emphasized that greater investment in green climate initiatives and early warning systems is essential to strengthening climate resilience.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the long-term impact of terrorism on the merged districts, noting that both infrastructure and local economies have suffered significant losses. He observed that districts dependent on cross-border trade continue to face severe economic hardship due to border closures.
Referring specifically to Tirah, he said that 24,000 families had been displaced, while access to livelihoods, healthcare, and education remains a major challenge. He further noted that the federal government had committed to providing Rs17 billion for temporarily displaced persons (TDPs) from the merged districts, a commitment that has yet to be fulfilled.
Despite the absence of federal support, the provincial government continues to allocate substantial resources to provide humanitarian assistance and essential services to displaced communities.
Speaking on the occasion, WFP Country Director Ms Anita Hirsh reaffirmed the World Food Programme’s commitment to working closely with the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to advance food security, improve nutrition outcomes, and strengthen climate resilience across the province.
