MANSEHRA, June 13: Provincial Haj Minister Nimroz Khan has asked the heads of various departments to work hard for bringing the recently-established Torghar district at par with developed districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“I know that there are ghost schools and health centers in Torgar. There is virtually no road and other infrastructure, but we have to work hard to end the sense of deprivation among the people of the region,” said the minister while speaking at the first meeting of heads of various departments of Torghar district here on Monday.

Among others, district coordination officer Fareed Khan, EDO (health) Dr Saifullah, EDO (education) Bahadar Khan and DPO Naqeebullah briefed the meeting about the working of the respective departments.

The minister said that the chief minister's package of Rs4 billion was being implemented in the district while another Rs1 billion had been earmarked for the district in provincial budget for the next financial year. He said that the federal government would also extend financial assistance for the development of district.

Mr Nimroz asked the officials to complete legal formalities to smoothly run the affairs of the respective departments.

The DCO said that offices were being set up in prefabricated shelters at Judbah, the headquarters of the new district, to run the administration affairs. He said that more buildings would be built in health and education sectors. He said that currently there were 239 schools in the district and sufficient staff was available to run the education department.

He said a team constituted by Chief Secretary Ghulam Dastagir in April would sort out ghost or damaged schools and decide the future line of action.

CRIME MEETING: The district police on Monday decided to provide foolproof security to foreigners and NGOs engaged in development projects and social work in Mansehra district.

The monthly meeting of police department was chaired by SSP investigation Khalid Khan Tanoli and attended by DSPs, SHOs, circle officers investigation and district public prosecutor.

“It is our responsibility to provide security to the foreigners and NGOs in view of the current spate of terrorism in the province,” The SSP said.

He also took notice of smuggling of timber in the district and directed that every police station should form a team to take action against the smugglers and outlaws involved in crimes at the Afghan refugee camp.