28 March 2004	Sunday	06 Safar 1425

BANNU, March 27: Duplicity shown by conventional politicians as well as those claiming to be the champions of Pukhtun rights has greatly damaged politics, says Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani.

He was speaking at the inauguration of a three-day free eye camp organized by a local social welfare organization at the Domail town here on Friday.

He said that the province's southern districts had been ignored by successive governments.

He said that the NWFP government had taken practical steps for removal of the sense of deprivation of these districts, but also announced development packages for Kohistan, Chitral, Buner and Dir districts.

He said that the so-called champions of the rights of Pukhtuns during their rule made investment in politics and termed it business. He assured that the MMA government would not compromise on the people's rights.

Later, during a visit to the under-construction Khalifa Gul Nawaz Memorial Hospital in Bannu city, the chief minister directed to accelerate the construction work.

He also directed to facilitate the changes approved in the original master plan of the hospital, hoping that the project would be completed before the stipulated period.

Earlier, the chief minister was given a briefing at the site of the Khalifa Gul Nawaz Memorial Hospital.

On this occasion, MNAs, MPAs, representatives of local government and officials were also present.