KARAK: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Saturday inaugurated over Rs9 billion gas supply project for Kohat division, which is likely to benefit over 150,000 people.

The extension and rehabilitation of natural gas project in the district would cost Rs1.9 billion in the first phase, while its total cost has been estimated to be over Rs9 billion, which includes rehabilitation of 65 kilometres long gas pipeline.

Mr Khan during his visit to Karak district also inaugurated two Rescue 1122 stations which had been completed at an estimated cost of Rs264.4 million in Karak city and Banda Daud Shah tehsil.

To address the scarcity of drinking water in the district, the chief minister inaugurated construction of filtration galleries and sump wells for various areas which would be completed at a cost of Rs3 billion and expected to be completed in six months. The project is expected to benefit 15,000 local residents and will provide nearly 250,000 gallons of drinking water to Zarkai Nasrati, Sirajkhel, Chowkara, Takth-i-Nusrati and Khada Banda areas.

Says work on oil refinery in Karak will start this year

During his visit, Mr Khan also inaugurated standardisation of seven higher secondary schools which would be completed at an estimated cost of Rs400 million. On this occasion, he also inaugurated a project for construction and rehabilitation of various roads under which 22 kilometres roads would be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs250 million.

Addressing a public meeting at Takht-i-Nusrati area during his daylong visit to the district, the chief minister said that work on the oil refinery in Karak would be launched this year.

Mr Khan said that Rs10 billion would be spent on the provision of gas facility to the people of Karak, Hangu and Kohat districts over a period of three years. He said that soon after his election as chief minister he visited Karak district and it was his second visit, which showed his attachment to people of the district.

The chief minister said that the past government had left the national kitty empty and they were busy only in taking commission and corruption and were least interested in serving the masses.

Mr Khan said that due to these corrupt practices some of the past rulers were behind bars and some had fled abroad. He resolved that they would complete the mission of building ‘Naya Pakistan’ in true sense and added that their government would give the people their rights on their doorstep.

The chief minister said that health cards would be given to deserving people of the province till June this year.

He said that the provincial government would fight for the gas, oil and electricity rights of the district on every platform and would ensure spending of the gas royalty funds on the development of Karak district alone.

He said that his government has ensured the inclusion of Peshawar -DI Khan Motorway in CPEC which would prove to be a major development booster not only for the southern districts, but also for the merged tribal districts.

He said that the provincial government would ensure provision of 100 per cent health insurance to all residents throughout the province by July this year under which free medical treatment of up to Rs1 million would be provided.

Minister of state Shehryar Afridi, MNA Shahid Khattak, provincial finance minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra and other officials were also present on this occasion.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2020