PESHAWAR Dec 11: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has said that special welfare initiatives launched in the province during last four and a half years have led to success of his government.

“The journey of people's welfare will continue in future,” he said while speaking to a gathering at union council Sikanderi in Mardan on Tuesday. ANP Mardan district president Farooq Akram, general secretary Imran Mandori, local office-bearers and notables were present on the occasion.

The chief minister recalled that prior to his government the educated youth of Mardan had no opportunity of getting higher and professional education in their home district. He said that they had established Abdul Wali Khan University and Bacha Khan Medical College, which would benefit the people of Mardan and other nearby areas. He claimed that the provincial government had established primary, middle, higher and higher secondary schools across the province.

Mr Hoti announced Rs10 million for construction of six additional rooms in Government High School Sikandari, Mardan. He also upgraded the status of Government High School Sharqi Hoti to higher secondary level, which would cost Rs18 million. He said that Shah Dhand Baba graveyard would be completed at a cost of Rs12 million and a boundary wall would be constructed to protect it from encroachment.

He said that construction of Eidgah Hayat Baba Jee costing Rs18.5 million was near completion. Small projects worth Rs30.5 million are in progress in Mardan Khas. The chief minister said that the ANP-led government had completed the clean drinking water project, costing Rs86.6 million, so as to protect people of the area from diseases.

Earlier, visiting Madrassa Dar-i-Arqm on Katlang road, Mr Hoti reiterated his resolve of serving religious seminaries and mosques. He announced Rs5 million for the madrassa and directed the local administration to ensure provision of gas to it. — APP