SWAT: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has said that the incumbent federal government will not last more than three months.

Talking to local elders in Swat University after inaugurating various projects during his daylong visit to the district on Wednesday, he said that it was high time to break the barriers of slavery and live with dignity.

MPA Fazal Hakim Khan, Azizullah Gran, former MNAs Saleemur Rehman and Dr Haider Ali Khan accompanied him during the visit.

The chief minister critcised the incumbent federal government and said that the PTI government elected through the votes of people was undemocratically attacked. He said that millions of people were on the street because the PTI government was attacked and a popular prime minister was ousted.

“People of Pakistan trust Imran Khan. They believe that the country will become a true Islamic welfare state under his leadership. This is why millions of people are protesting on the call of Imran Khan,” he said.

He said that after Peshawar and Karachi, PTI was organising a public meeting in Lahore to protest ouster of its government. “It would be the biggest public gathering in Lahore in the history of the country,” he added.

The chief minister said that everyone must attend the Lahore public gathering for the survival of Pakistan. “The current federal government is the caretaker government. It will not last more than three months,” he said. He added that most members of the cabinet were on bail.

He said that provision of health card was a great gift of PTI government to the people of the province that would continue in any case. “Legislation is being enacted to run this scheme on permanent basis while the shelter homes in the province will continue to function on permanent basis,” he said.

Mr Khan said that soon he would visit other districts of the province to inaugurate mega developmental projects. “Swat Motorway Phase-II must be constructed, but we are trying to minimise losses of people,” he said. He added that the plan for sustainable development of Malakand division was being implemented.

Earlier, the chief minister laid the foundation stones of various projects worth Rs22 billion that included Women Campus Swat University, upgradation of Khwazakhela hospital, irrigation channels in Jankikhel, Azikhel and Maturizi, Khwazakhela bypass road, the first veterinary university of the province, Kanju bypass road, 132 kilovolts Kabal grid station, sports complex in Ningolai and other projects.

He also inaugurated the upgraded Kabal hospital and Tehsil Complex Kabul.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2022