MINGORA: All the candidates for the upcoming local government elections in Manglawar tehsil here on Sunday talked about their future plans during a public forum in the presence of their voters.

The public forum titled ‘Is education top priority of candidates in the LG polls?’ was organised by Innovative Youth Forum (IYF). It was attended by a large number of local people and candidates.

“The promises and manifestoes of candidates have been recorded and the same will be reminded to them after they are elected. We have also taken oath from all the candidates that they will comply with their promises when they get elected,” said Dr Jawad, the chairman of IYF.

The candidates promised to initiate schemes in the sectors of education, water supply, sports, sanitation and street pavement, link roads and electricity in their areas.  

The candidates promised to serve the communities and work as a bridge between the government institutions and people at grassroots level.

“Public libraries, sports grounds and facilities for co-curriculum activities will be established,” said Ismail Khan, a candidate. He added that cultural exchange programmes would also be organised for youth.

Falak Naz, another candidate, said that change came from the within.

“The voters must consider the background of the candidates before casting their votes,” he said, adding youth were the real force and drivers of development in the society.

Gul Abad, a candidate for pheasant seat, said that he himself was a farmer and understood the problems of the growers in his area. “All the irrigational channels were washed away by the floods in 2010 which badly affected the farmers. I will try to construct irrigational channels and address the issues of farmers,” he said. Anwar Ali, a candidate for the seat of tehsil councillor, said that creating political awareness among the people was his first priority. “A working committee will be formed in whose members will represent every village and party to execute development projects,” he said.

The candidates pledged that the existence schools would be upgraded and new colleges would be set up in the area. “The civil hospital which was replaced by the kidney hospital will be re-established and recreational parks will be set up for local people,” they said.

Roohul Amin Nayab, a candidate for the seat of district councillor said, that there was shortage of schools in Manglawar tehsil. “There is dire need for dispensaries in various areas. So along the establishment of schools, I will strive to establish four dispensaries to tackle the health issues of people in the area,” he said.

The candidates said that after getting elected, they would be accountable to people.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2015

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