MANSEHRA: The people of Siren valley have welcomed the construction of 24 megawatts Jabori hydropower plant in the region and expressed the hope that the project would usher in an era of progress and prosperity.

“We assure the government that the people of valley will not only give their lands for project but also extend all possible cooperation for the smooth execution of the hydropower project,” said former National Assembly candidate Shabbir Ahmad Khan during a jirga in Jabori on Friday.

He said work on the hydropower project to be executed in Deedal area would begin soon.

According to the jirga organisers, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hydel Development Organisation had earmarked Rs1.5 billion for the first phase of the hydropower plant’s construction to be completed in three phases.

The bidding for the construction of infrastructure will begin by May 15.

The jirga was called to decide about the future course of action in the wake of the acquisition of land by the government for the project. People from all over the valley showed up in large numbers.

Another speaker, Khalid Khan, said a committee would soon be formed to talk to the government about the land price and other issues related to the project.

He demanded reasonable price for land, free electricity and jobs in project to local residents.

FREE MEDICAL: The local health department in collaboration with Jamaat-i-Islami has organised a two-day free medical camp in remote Shergar area of Oghi.

Doctors examined around 300 men and women at the camp and provided them with medicines free of charge.

Over 100 visitors underwent minor surgeries. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf MPA Maleeha Tanveer and Jamaat-i-Islami district chief Sajjad Hussain Shah and general secretary Dr Mohammad Siddique were also present at the camp on Friday.

“Our (PTI-led) government is striving to provide health services to every nook and corner of the province. The time is not far off when we will achieve our this goal,” the MPA said.

The Jamaat-i-Islami leaders said the residents of remote and mountainous areas in Mansehra were unable to visit hospitals in the district, so the free medical camp was organised for such people.