KOHAT: For the first time after the British rulers constructed a well-planned cantonment in Kohat the city has got a facelift plan to be implemented with the oil and gas royalty funds for giving a new look to the historic city. The plan mainly includes removing encroachments from bazaars and roads to widen them.

The British renovated Durrani Fort, constructed large bungalows, a golf ground, playgrounds, roads and built a wall around the city with nine gates to secure it from the marauding tribesmen of adjoining tribal areas.

About the new plan, assistant commissioner Mohammad Ali Asghar told mediapersons at a press conference in his office on Friday that the basic aim of the plan was to uplift the city’s face.

It has been decided to remove electricity transformers and poles from the whole main bazaar.

In this regard, the city plan has been sanctioned by the commissioner in which it is suggested to install one pole in place of four and fix the transformers on the roofs of shops. Efforts would be made to lay down electricity wires underground. Besides, the telephone lines passing across the bazaar would also be removed.

Encroachments from main bazaar being removed in first phase

It is expected that in near future there would be no poles in front of shops or wires hanging everywhere. Currently, vehicles of customers could not enter the bazaar, but after implementation of the plan they would be able to move around the whole bazaar and the traders would benefit.

In the first phase, encroachments were being demolished and shops constructed illegally on government land demolished. The removal of extended sheds in the main bazaar is underway.

TMA’s chief municipal officer Shoeb told Dawn that this time they had been dealing with encroachers strictly.

He said that the shopkeepers had been warned that in case of refusal they would be fined Rs10,000 and sent to prison for 15 days.

The assistant commissioner is supervising the anti-encroachment operation. The plan also includes converting Tanda Dam resort into a park and establishment of a zoo.

CRIME RECORD: As many as 24 people died in blasts and 151 lost their lives in murder cases in Kohat during 2014, police said in a statement. It said that the police arrested 6,500 alleged outlaws, including 684 proclaimed offenders. During the year, the police seized 135 Kalashnikovs, nine Kalakovs, 100 rifles, 214 shot guns, 947 pistols, 30 hand grenades, one suicide jacket, 75 kilogrammes of explosive material, etc.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2015

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