CHITRAL, Sept 21, 2025: Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Energy Engineer Tariq Sadozai has said the provincial government is giving top priority to timely completion of hydropower projects.
He was speaking during his visit to the under-construction 69-megawatt Lawi Hydropower Project in Lower Chitral. Project Director Javed Afridi and officials of the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization were also present.
The special assistant inspected different sections of the project and was briefed on its progress, challenges, and pace of work. Expressing dissatisfaction over delays, he warned that no further postponement would be tolerated and directed the contractor to expedite construction.
Terming Lawi a key development scheme for Chitral and the province, Mr. Sadozai directed the Project Director to immediately bring any hurdles at the provincial or federal level to the government’s notice so they could be resolved without delay.
He added that with the completion of Lawi and other ongoing hydropower projects, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s electricity generation capacity would increase significantly, helping reduce load-shedding, boost the provincial economy, provide jobs and basic facilities to locals, and open new avenues for regional development.
The power project worth Rs16 billion entails a tunnel of 14kms, which will divert water from a stream in Shishi Koh valley. The power station will be constructed at the foothills of Lawi village along the Drosh-Chitral Road.
The project remains far behind the completion deadline over cost escalations caused by devaluation of the rupee against the US dollar.