MANSEHRA: PTI MNA Salah Mohammad Khan on Monday said the federal government would spend Rs5 billion on infrastructure development in Kaghan valley to promote tourism.

“Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced promotion of tourism in Kaghan valley for which Rs5 billion will initially be spent for the purpose,” the lawmaker told a public meeting in Sarwai area of Balakot tehsil on Monday.

Mr Salah said Balakot was the gateway to Kaghan valley and therefore, the PTI governments both in the centre and province had prioritised its development.

“Work on development schemes will begin in the summer season promising change in the residents’ life,” he said.

PTI candidate for PK-30 and former minister Ahmad Hussain Shah, who was also in attendance, said the residents of Balakot wanted ‘change’.

“If the people elect me MNA in the Feb 26 by-election, I will strive for the resolution of issues facing them since an earthquake caused massive destruction in the region almost 13 years,” he said.

ROAD BLOCKED: The communication and works department has failed to clear snow and landslides from major roads in Torghar district for around two weeks stressing out both residents and visitors.

“Many major roads of Torghar have been blocked for two weeks, while it is dangerous to use others due to the continuous rains and snowfall,” local resident Zahid Khan told reporters here on Monday.

He regretted that the Mangla-Gangat Road, which was blocked due to landslides triggered by rains last week, hadn’t been reopened thus far.

Mr Zahid said patients were worst hit by the closure of the Mungla-Gangat Road as they struggled to reach hospitals.

He said the Darband-Thakot Road, which linked Torghar with Mansehra, Battagram and other districts of Hazara division, had become highly dangerous for travel due to potholes caused by the continuous rains.

The resident complained that the Judbah-Gitto Road and Judbah-Shatil Road were also in bad shape.

He and other residents demanded of the chief minister to order the immediate repair of roads in Torghar.

BURGLARY: Burglars took away over Rs1 million cash and goods from four shops on Kashmir Road here on Sunday night.

District police officer Zaibullah Khan promised the early arrest of burglars for punishment.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2019