NOWSHERA/MANSEHRA: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has said that the planned ‘Azadi March’ of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf will pave the way for a real change in the country.

“Only Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan can steer the country out of the crises and can fill leadership gap in the country. People will see a visible change in all sectors, especially economy if Irman Khan becomes prime minister of the country,” he said while addressing two separate public meetings in Pahari Karikhel and Pashtun Gahri areas of Nowshera on Tuesday.

The chief minister addressed eight public meetings in district Nowshera during the last three days to mobilise people for ‘Azadi March’. He was flanked by MNA Imran Khattak, former MPA Laiquat Khattak and Ishaq Khattak.

The chief minister said that the country would see a real change on August 14 as a new history would be written of Pakistan. He appealed to the young workers of PTI to participate in the march.

“I know real change will come in the entire country if youth of the party play their due role as they had played during the last general elections,” Mr Khattak.

Claims only Imran can steer the country out of crises

The chief minister also asked the federal government to give rights to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under 18th Amendment to put the province on the path of development. “Had Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accepted genuine demands of Imran Khan, the march would not have been planned,” he said.

Mr Khattak alleged that Sharif brothers could not play a constructive role in the country on the base of their bogus mandate. “Now people are aware and Sharif brothers will not come back into power,” he said.

He said that federal government should not think that ‘Azadi March’ would fail as PTI workers were struggling hectically to make it a success. He alleged that some bureaucrats and corrupt elements were working against the provincial government as it had launched an anti-corruption campaign. He said that those elements would not succeed.

The chief minister said that their allied parties knew that PTI government was trying its best to fulfil the promises made with the people during elections.

Mr Khattak alleged that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had intentionally ignored Khyber Pakhtunkhwa because its people had given mandate to PTI.

Meanwhile, the chief minister announced construction of a bridge on the Indus River between Toghar and Swat to prevent timber smuggling in upper districts of the province including Hazara division.

He said that government would not allow timber smugglers to turning the rivers and dams of the province as means of transportation for smuggling timber.

Addressing a public meeting after planting a sapling in Judbah on Tuesday, the chief minister said that ‘Azadi March’ to pave way for real change, says Khattak government would plant one billion trees in the province during the coming four years to increase the present forest covered area from 20 per cent to 25 per cent.

“We have decided to plant 250 million trees every year and an amount of Rs1 billion is earmarked for the purpose this year,” Mr Khattak said. He added that government wanted to protect forests for the coming generations and benefits of the forest owners.

“The provincial government will get billions of rupees in return for its efforts to protect forests. Anyone, who cuts a single tree, will be bound by law to grow two trees in its place,” he added.

Beside others, Provincial Minister of Forests Ishtiaq Khan, Commissioner Abid Ali Khan and DIG Akhtar Hayat Khan Gandapur were also present on occasion.

Mr Khattak said that his government after coming into power last year, imposed ban on cutting of forests as it wanted to protect the ‘green gold’ for the future generations and improvement of environment.

“We want to protect forests and environment. We imposed ban on cutting of forest after coming into power last year and now announced forest policy, which will benefit the owners and government equally,” said Mr Khattak.

The chief minister said that henceforth nobody could cut trees and in return government would get handsome amount every year that would be spent on protection of forests and welfare of forest owners.

“The funds meant for protection of forests and welfare of owners will be deposited directly in the account of provincial government and will be spent in a transparent manner,” Mr Khattak said.

The chief minister said that more than 10 million square feet of timber was cut illegally during the last four years in the province, causing over Rs100 billion losses to the national exchequer.

He said that provincial government would get funds from international donors under forest protection programme that would be spent mostly in Malakand and Hazara divisions.

Mr Khattak said that henceforth nobody including forest owners could cut trees in the province. He said that a bridge would be built on the Indus River between Toghar and Swat to control timber smuggling.

The bridge could not be used for vehicular traffic and people could only use it to cross into Malakand from Toghar.

The chief minister said that Torghar Levies would be merged into police force. He directed Hazara commissioner to put up a summary in that regard.

Mr Khattak also announced two girls high schools, four primary schools and upgradation of two middle schools for boys to high level in the district. He said that a fire tender and two ambulances would be provided to the district.

Published in Dawn, Aug 13th, 2014