MANSEHRA: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz MNA Mohammad Safdar has said that he will salute the apex court if it takes suo motu notice against former military ruler retired Gen Pervez Musharraf for ‘dishonouring constitution and democracy’.

“Mr Musharraf, who is involved in high treason and enjoying luxurious life abroad, if the Supreme Court takes suo motu notice against him and brings him back to the country, I will salute it, standing at the D-Chowk in Islamabad,” Mr Safdar told a public meeting after inauguration of a gas pipeline here on Sunday.

Federal minister for religious affairs Sardar Mohammad Yousuf also addressed the gathering. Mr Safdar said it was the darkest day when Nawaz Sharif was disqualified. “My father-in-law, Mr Sharif, is a great leader who put the country on way to prosperity and development, but he was punished for his achievements,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Yousuf said the 12-inch diameter gas pipeline would ensure smooth supply of natural gas to Shinkiari, Balakot and Ichrian areas. He said Hazara motorway would be completed in September this year.

Mr Yousuf said ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif had put the country on way to prosperity and development, and on the basis of it, people would vote for the party in the upcoming general elections. The gas pipeline is completed at a cost of Rs880 million.

DISTRICT STATUS SOUGHT TANAWAL: A jirga has opposed integration of Tanawal with the newly-approved Oghi district, and denounced the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led provincial government for creating hurdles in declaring Tanawal as a district.

The jirga was a show of solidarity as political rivals, MPA Mohammad Ibrar Tanoli and former provincial minister Habibur Rehman Tanoli, also sat together and raised voice against making Tanawal as part of Oghi district, which was approved by the provincial cabinet, last month.

Opposition leader in Oghi tehsil council Nawabzada Fareed, district naib nazim Ghulam Murtaza Tanoli, Jammat-i-Islami tehsil emir Dr Siddique and Torghar District Nazim Dilroz Khan also spoke.

Ibrar Tanoli said the PTI government created rifts among people in Kohistan and now was doing the same in Mansehra in the name of carving news districts.

“Zargul Khan, the political adviser to the chief minister, is responsible for creating differences among people in Kohistan and now here in Mansehra,” he said.

Rehman Tanoli lauded the jirga, saying the government should give Tanawal the status of a district.

FUNDS FOR WATER SUPPLY SCHEME: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa finance department has released Rs11 million approved by Chief Minister Pervez Khattak for extension of a water supply scheme in Safada area of Mansehra.

The chief minister had announced extension of Safada water supply scheme during his recent visit to the area. The scheme, which has already been completed with an estimated cost of Rs27 million, would also supply potable water to people in Hadobandi and surrounding areas.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2018