SHANGLA: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Monday announced establishment of a university, construction of Khwazakhela-Bisham Expressway and establishment of two degree colleges in Shangla district.

Speaking at a public gathering in Puran during his one-day visit to the district, he announced upgradation of district headquarters hospital and said that status of tehsil would be granted to Kana area.

The chief minister also announced construction of Karora-Chakisar, Karora-Ajmira and Manglor-Shangla Top roads. He said that work would be started immediately on Puran grid station.

Provincial Minister Shaukat Yousafzai, MPAs Azizullah Gran and Fakhar Jehan and former provincial minister Abdul Muneem were also present on the occasion.

The chief minister said that rulers in the past looted public exchequer. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan stood for positive change in the country and was striving to fix the 72 years old deficiencies in the system. He added that welfare of people was his top most priority.

Mahmood Khan pledges uniform development of all areas

He said that government believed in uniform development of people. He hoped that the ruling PTI would again come into power with the support of people in the upcoming general elections of 2023.

The chief minister said that Sehat Card Plus was a flagship and public friendly initiative of the government through which free healthcare facilities were being provided to millions of people in the province.

He said that very soon Kisan Cards and Education Cards would also be launched in the province. He added that Rs10 billion had been allocated in the budget for provision of free food items to poor.

Mr Khan said that development projects worth Rs21 billion had been approved for Shangla during the last three years.

He said that government was working under a well-devised strategy to utilise the potential of tourism and hydel power in the province. He said that about Rs7.2 million people visited tourist sites of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the current season.

The chief minister said that four different projects were approved for construction of approach roads to tourist sites in Shangla. He said that the schools and roads affected by earthquake would be reconstructed through the funds of provincial government.

He said that the previous chief ministers had focused only on the development of their respective districts whereas his government was working for the uniform development of whole the province.

He said that work was in progress on various road projects and industrial zones in the province. He added that the province would become a hub of industrial and tourist activities within the next few years that would create employment opportunities.

The chief minister said that he was well aware of the issues of Shangla. He added that government would focus on the district in the next two years.

Responding to demand of people on the occasion, he said that it had been decided in principle to establish new zone comprising Shangla and its adjacent districts for job quota under Provincial Public Service Commission. He said that a committee was also working to finalise modalities for the purpose. He added that the new zone would be notified soon in light of the recommendations of the committee.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2021