MANSEHRA: The federal government has transferred an initial amount of Rs120 million in the accounts of the district administration of Mansehra to acquire land for establishment of an airport in Sawan Mera area of Tanawal.

“The Civil Aviation Authority has completed its survey to establish an airport in Tanawal area, and has transferred the first tranche of Rs120 million to acquire the land,” Iqbal Hussain, Deputy Commissioner Mansehra, told reporters here on Sunday.

He said on completion of the survey by CAA now the revenue department had launched the process to acquire 6,000 kanals of land in three villages of Sawan Mera union council.

“More money will be transferred to our accounts on need basis,” said Mr Hussain.

He said though he was not in a position to give exact time for completion of the mega project, the district administration would complete its task as early as possible.

The deputy commissioner said establishment of airport in Tanawal area was not part of the multibillion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

ISLAMABAD LOCKDOWN: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Mansehra chapter, claims that a large number of party workers and people would take part in the Nov 2 Islamabad ‘lockdown’.

“We are in contact with people in every nook and corner of the district and are expecting a large participation in the Islamabad protest,” Syed Aftab Shah, a local PTI leader, told reporters on Sunday. Mr Shah said party workers from Mansehra district would have a prominent role to play in making the protest achieve its objectives.

He said party workers were ready to give befitting response to the call given by their leader Imran Khan. He said committees had been constituted to ensure maximum participation of people in the protest.

PML-Q DISTRICT PRESIDENT: Former provincial minister Tariq Khan Swati has been elected the district president of PML-Q for the second consecutive time. His election came at a meeting here on Sunday attended by party workers and office-bearers from Balakot, Oghi and Mansehra tehsils. They reposed full confidence in Mr Swati’s leadership.

Published in Dawn October 24th, 2016