PESHAWAR, April 1: The NWFP government has evolved a uniform development strategy to ensure uplift of every part of the province.

This was stated by Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani while speaking at a public gathering at Kaki, Bannu district on Tuesday.

The chief minister said the strategy was aimed at reducing province’s financial dependence on the Centre. The strategy would be based on a ‘participatory approach,’ he added.

Mr Durrani said the people had voted for the MMA as they wanted enforcement of Shariat in society and assured the masses that the alliance would come up to their expectations.

He said the Nifaz-i-Shariat Council, constituted by the provincial government, had submitted its recommendations which had been approved by the cabinet.

The chief minister said a bill in this respect would soon be tabled in the provincial legislature and once it was adopted it would be the joint responsibility of the government and the masses to implement it.

Referring to the law and order situation in the province, the chief minister said all necessary measures were being taken to maintain it.

He said his government would protect the life and property of the people. It would not allow criminals to disturb the peace. Force would only be used as a last resort and only when things could not be achieved through normal process, he added.

He said the government’s policy of tolerance should not be considered its weakness. It had the will to eliminate criminals and their hideouts, he said.

The chief minister also claimed that all public sector institutions would be reformed to make them responsive to the will and aspirations of the people.

He said directives had been issued to all district governments in the province to keep an eye on the activities of outlaws so that people could live in peace.

The chief minister also held out the assurance that power would not be used for personal benefits, rather it would be used for the betterment of people.

The chief minister said corruption in the police department, patwarkhana and at the tehsil level was being checked. Those found guilty would be awarded exemplary punishment, he added.

Fight against social imbalances would also continue, he said, adding that backward areas would be brought at par with developed areas.

Mr Durrani promised that the main Bazaar Road would be made a dual carriageway. The provincial government had already approved a plan to construct a dual carriageway from Bannu to Taja Kelay. The road from Serai Nawrang to Gandi Khan Khel would also be made dual.

The federal government had sanctioned Rs12 billion for the supply of Sui gas to six districts, including Bannu.

A passport office was being established at Bannu and the creation of Banochi Platoon in the FC was in the process.

Aero Asia had indicated its interest in the expansion of Bannu Airport, he said and added that the government would pursue this project.

The provincial government would also construct Durrani model school in Bannu on 400 kanals.

The district jail which was to be constructed on 72 kanals would be given additional 35 kanal on which a park would be constructed.

Funds for the Juma Khan road had already been sanctioned by the provincial government, the chief minister said, adding science classes in the boys higher secondary schools would start soon.

He said a higher secondary school for girls would also be set up.

A road from Kaki to Serai Nawrang would be constructed and the rural health centre would be upgraded to a D-class hospital, he said. —PPI