KARAK: Adviser to the chief minister on prison affairs Malik Qasim Khan Khattak has claimed that the PTI-led government has started survey to construct a canal from River Indus to the Karak district to overcome water shortage for domestic consumption and irrigation.

He said that the project will cost Rs7 billion.

He stated this while addressing a ceremony in Shamadikhel area of Takht-i-Nusrati here on Sunday.

About a dozen families of PML-N announced to join PTI on the occasion.

The lawmaker said that survey of the canal had been initiated at Kalabagh area of Mianwali district, and claimed that the project was included in the provincial Annual Developmental Plan.

He said that it would be a real mega project in the history of the district, bringing green revolution in the area and overcoming shortage of grain and vegetables in the province.

Mr Khattak further said that work on 16km long Kohe Maidan road had been initiated with a cost of Rs200 million.

He claimed that the road would link the people of far flung areas with the district headquarters.

He said the completion of road would also provide an opportunity to the people of Takht-i-Nusrati to benefit from the coalmines and other minerals in Kurd Sharif, Showanki and Koh-i-Maidan.

The CM’s adviser said that work on provision of drinking water from Lawagher dam on gravity line was also underway at a cost of Rs380 million, which would benefit people of Sirajkhel union council, Takht-i-Nusrati, Jehan-geri and Chokara union council.

BODY RECOVERED: Body of a girl was recovered from a deserted area near girls’ degree college, Banda Daud Shah, which was brought to the DHQ hospital, Karak, for autopsy and identification.

Police said that the 15-year-old girl was shot dead. Police started search for relatives of the girl.

JUI-S CONVENTION: The local chapter of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-S will hold a workers convention on in the district on November 27 to exhibit show of power and mobilise workers before the local government elections.

This was announced by the JUI-S district general secretary Mazul Haq in a press release issued here on Sunday.

Published in Dawn, November 24th , 2014