KP CM Sohail Afridi Inaugurates 105-Kanal Public Park in Peshawar Under Cities Improvement Project
Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has inaugurated a 105-kanal state-of-the-art public park in Hayatabad, Peshawar, developed under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cities Improvement Project (KPCIP) to provide modern recreational facilities and expand urban green spaces.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Provincial Minister for Local Government Meena Khan Afridi, Member of the National Assembly Arbab Sher Ali, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Samiullah Khan, Hameed-ul-Haq, Muhammad Asim Khan, Advocate Ali Zaman, senior officials of the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA), the Local Government Department, party leaders, and a large number of residents.
Spread over 105 kanals, the environmentally friendly park is expected to benefit nearly two million people and features a wide range of recreational and sports facilities, including 12 gazebos, basketball and volleyball courts, jogging and cycling tracks, an open-air gym, walking trails, solar-powered parking sheds, food kiosks, an open-air amphitheatre, dedicated recreational zones for women, children and families, children’s play areas, sand pits, a skating zone, a rose garden, and landscaped green spaces.
Addressing the ceremony, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi said providing quality recreational facilities, expanding green spaces, and promoting healthy lifestyles are key priorities of the provincial government’s development agenda. He noted that the new park would encourage positive social engagement and healthy outdoor activities for families and young people.
The Chief Minister commended the Peshawar Development Authority, the Local Government Department, and the Cities Improvement Project team for completing the project within a record three months, describing it as an example of efficient planning and execution.
Referring to broader development priorities, Afridi said Peshawar had suffered the most during Pakistan’s fight against terrorism, while the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police, and security forces continue to make sacrifices for lasting peace. He also stated that the province has not received its due share under the National Finance Commission (NFC)since 2018 but reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continuing public welfare and development initiatives despite financial constraints.
He further announced that the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2026–27 is the largest in the province’s history, with a Rs200 billion special development package for Peshawar. He said development projects would benefit both urban and rural areas across the province and expressed confidence that the current fiscal year would mark a new phase of peace, development, and prosperity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
