MINGORA, Nov 22: The members of the tehsil council, Swat, have expressed concern over the lack of health facilities in different areas and demanded immediate solution to the problem.

A monthly meeting of the tehsil council was held, with its convener, Syed Akber Shah Lala, in the chair.

It was also addressed by the tehsil Nazim, Rafiul Mulk Khan, and district Nazim, Dr Mehboobur Rehman, here at the municipal committee hall on Friday.

Mukhtiar Ali, a union council Nazim, said the police were creating problems for the non-customs paid vehicles in the district, which was in clear violation of the legal system of the Malakand division.

He proposed that the police department be officially asked to avoid such tactics. Haji Shah Rawan said that the doctors were not taking interest in performing their duties and the people were faced with difficulties.

He said the district government must ensure presence of doctors in the hospitals.

Shah Dauran, Naib Nazim union council, Rahimabad, said the committees’ mandated time frame had already lapsed and they must be replaced. He also put emphasis on initiation of developmental schemes.

Saeed Khan, a councillor, said the irrigation department had stopped provision of water in the Kabul water canal and the crops were suffering badly as a result. He asked for allocation of funds for the repairs of the canal on emergency basis so as to save the crops from further destruction.

Dr Shah Zareen pointed out that road accidents had risen sharply and proposed allowing speed-breakers on the main road in Barikot.

Syed Iqbal Shah presented a report of the coordination committee on the occasion. The tehsil Nazim Rafiul Mulk and Syed Akber Shah Lala assured the members of the council of solution to the problems.

The district Nazim, Dr Mehboob ur Rehman, said that all the decisions about launching of the developmental schemes and other programmes were being taken in consultation with all the elected members in order to ensure unity among members.

He said the advisory committees held five meetings and discussed issues relating to the postings, transfers and appointments.

He made it clear that local people would be recruited as teachers in schools because those belonging to the cities were not attending classes regularly.

About the reopening of the Saidu Sharif airport, the district Nazim said that efforts were being made by contacting the higher authorities of the departments concerned and it would be opened very soon.