SHANGLA: Provincial minister for information, excise and taxation Shaukat Ali Yousafzai has claimed that the government has approved blacktopping of roads and construction of bridges in Shangla district, and will soon call the tenders of the projects.

Talking to reporters here on Sunday, he said he had approved first phase of the construction of roads in various parts of his constituency.

“I want to explore and discover the district’s hidden and rich tourist destinations so that tourists from all over the world could visit the scenic places, which will certainly help the locals by providing them job opportunities,” the minister added.

Mr Yousafzai said instead of hollow promises he believed in practical work and would fulfill his election promises.

Mr Yousafzai said in the first phase, roads from Shang to Chambar (5km), Bisham to Qala (6km), Chichlo Mor to Sangrai (5km), Koza Alpuri to Kandaw (5km), Bazaar Kot to Amnawi (5m) and Koz Kana to Dunai (5km) had been included in the package.

He added that construction of a bridge over the Khan Khwar River in Kerai area had also been approved. The minister said construction of these roads and the bridge was essential because locals had no means of travel. He said all the approved roads would be blacktopped and widened so that people could comfortably travel to their respective villages. The information minister said in the next phase many roads and bridges would be built.

SNOWFALL: A new spell of snow in upper parts of the district and rain in plain areas started on Sunday.

Snowfall was recorded in Kapar Banda, Speen Ghar, Shangla Top, Yakhtangay, Ajmer, Kandaw and Gamtal. On the other hand, Bisham city, Alpuri, Chakesar and Puran received showers.

According to local Met office, the rain and snowfall would continue for next three days.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2018