MIANWALI: Neglect shown by successive provincial governments, paucity of funds and dearth of dedicated officials (posted here) are the major reasons of keeping Mianwali backward.

Locals still remember those officials who did anything for the uplift of the district in the past.

Nearly three decades ago, then deputy commissioner Ziaul Haq brought changes to Mianwali city by installing neon-signs at electricity poles bearing Quranic verses, carried out plantation on the banks of Thal Canal passing through the city besides other social works. This was the first ever sincere attempt to beautify the city.

A couple of years ago, DCO Muhammad Mehmood started beautification of the city besides keeping his doors open to public to solve their problems. Local politicians of the PML-N forced the chief minister to replace him because people were contacting the DCO directly instead of them.

Additional District Collector Mian Aftab who took charge as acting DCO a few months ago brought pleasant changes in city which will be remembered for long. Besides beautifying the city, Mian Aftab, a poet, got constructed a room for literati with a library after the name of renowned scholar late Syed Nasir Shah and named it as “Syed Nasir Shah Baithak” in the park of the district courts, shifted the main gate of DHQ Hospital without using a single penny from the exchequer by managing donations from NGOs and philanthropists.

Mian Aftab also gave a beautiful look to the outer wall of Govt Girls Degree College by planting flowers and installing 55 neonsigns bearing the pictures of celebrated women who made name in various fields of life.

These pictures are being appreciated by students and their parents beside teachers.

Second year Student Asma Khan said the neonsigns inspired them to work hard.

Sadia Jabeen, a third year student, suggested that such signs should be placed inside the college as well.

Principal Mrs Fateh Khattak told Dawn her staff and students appreciated the portraits of celebrated women.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2014