BANNU, Aug 27: Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has said that the construction of a dual carriage way from Gambela to Bannu and onward to Ghulam Khan in North Waziristan Agency and across the border to Gardez and the establishment of an industrial zone here will make this region a business hub for Afghanistan and the Central Asian States.

He was speaking at a meeting of Bakkakhel tribal elders during his one-day visit to his hometown on Saturday.

“This area would play a pivotal role in alleviating poverty, unemployment and strengthening economy of the province”, he said.

Earlier, the chief minister inspected the under-construction Bannu link road and Kashoo bridge. He also visited the areas along the link road, Bannu township and Kaki Sheikh Landak to select sites for the establishment of an industrial zone and a cement factory in the Bakkakhel locality.

The managing director of Frontier Highways Authority briefed the chief minister about the progress of work on the Bannu link road.

He said that 16-kilometre portion of the 26-km-long road had been carpeted, while the remaining 10 kilometres would be completed in the next month.

He said that work on the Kashoo bridge was in full swing and would conclude till December 30.

Mr Durrani expressed satisfaction over the pace of work and directed the concerned officials to plant trees and take other necessary measures to prevent landsliding and land erosion along the road.

He said the construction of Bannu link road and Bannu-Ghulam Khan road from Gambela to Afghanistan would create another trade route similar to Torkham-Jalalabad road, which would boost tourism, transport and industries in the region.

“This would also provide job opportunities to the locals and would bring a positive change in their social and economic condition”, he maintained.

The chief minister urged the officials to select a proper site for the establishment of the proposed industrial zone.

Additional chief secretary Mir Laiq Shah, provincial secretary industries Badshah Gul Wazir, Senator Qari Abdullah, MNA Naseeb Ali Shah, MPA Abdur Razaaq Mujadidi, Qari Azeem Gul, Syed Hamid Shah and officials of mineral department also accompanied the chief minister on this occasion.

Talking to the elite of Bannu township, he directed the concerned officials to refurbish the sewerage system and solve other problems of the residents.

The chief minister said he would call a joint meeting of the heads of all departments in order to review the available funds and their judicious utilization for the improvement of special education centre.