MANSEHRA: The newly-elected MPA Akram Ghazi on Sunday said the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf provincial government would elevate the status of Oghi and Darband tehsils to a district.

“People of Oghi and its suburbs have reposed their confidence in me, and elected me to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, and I would address all their core issues,” he promised while speaking to reporters in Oghi.

Flanked by local officer-bearers of PTI, Mr Ghazi said the people of two tehsils had long been demanding the district status, and the provincially-ruling party would turn their dream into reality.

“People voted for me just because of the founding chairman of PTI Imran Khan, and I would follow the latter’s mission to serve people,” Mr Ghazi said.

Ghazi says industrial zone will also be set up in region

He said an industrial zone, which the previous PTI government planned for Harigah area on state land, would be executed with the help of the chief minister. He said the industrial zone would provide jobs to thousands of residents, particularly youth,” he said.

The MPA said Oghi was rich with natural beauty and widely stretched meadows, and the government would promote tourism there.

“The Oghi and Darband tehsils are deprived of mineral royalty funds and I would raise voice against it in the assembly,” Mr Ghazi said.

He said Rescue 1122 station would soon be operational in Oghi to ensure prompt and effective service to people.

SCHOOL: The residents of Pulrah area on Sunday demanded the early reconstruction of a girls’ primary school in Bandi Mera area.

“The contractor suspended the work on school, the only educational institution in the area, early last year, adversely affecting studies of students,” resident Bukhtar Tanoli told reporters.

Flanked by a group of locals, he said the communication and works department had demolished the building some two years ago after it developed cracks.

“The reconstruction of school building was scheduled to be completed within eight months at a cost Rs16 million, but the contractor left the project incomplete,” Mr Tanoli said.

He said currently schoolgirls attended classes in a small rented building nearby.

“The rented building cannot meet requirement of classes, and mostly girls have to sit in the open,” he said.

He said girls from adjoining villages were also enrolled in the school. He said due to absence of a spacious building, a number of girls had left the school,” Tanoli said.

The resident said they had taken the delay in school’s reconstruction with high-ups of the education and communication and works departments, but to no avail.

He said the department concerned should ensure early resumption of work on the school building, or people would take to the streets.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2024