PESHAWAR: Foreign aid to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa`s Annual Development Programme has increased by 51 per cent to Rs35 billion, enabling the province to carry out mega projects.

This was informed during a presentation on planning and development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at civil secretariat here on Wednesday.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ChiefSecretary Mohammad Shehzad Arbab chaired the meeting.

The participants included 100th National Management Course participants, additional chief secretary Khalid Pervez, administrative secretaries of P&D, home and tribal affairs, health, finance and departments and other officers, according to a handout.

The participants were given presentation on the overall administrative structure, reforms, projects cycle, the annual development pro-gramme, its size and foreign aided initiatives. They were also shown sector-wise break-up of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa developmental strategy. It was informed that there had been an increase of 12 per cent in the size and capacity of the local component, and 51 per cent in foreign assistance to the ADP, 2014.

The National Management Course participants were apprised of the challenges facing the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as compared to other provinces. They were informed thatcrime rate in the province was on rise compared to incidents of terrorism.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Arbab said the government was implementing its reforms agenda and was sincere in development of the province for the larger interest of people.

The participants expressed pleasure over the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government`s developmental strategy especially the reforms agenda and assured their full cooperation in carrying forward uplift measures.