MANSEHRA: Federal Minister for Haj Sardar Mohammad Yousuf has said that PML-N will soon table Hazara province resolution in the National Assembly with the support of other parties in the parliament.

“We are in contact with other parties in National Assembly to table a resolution seeking status of province for Hazara division. I am optimistic this resolution will be approved with majority of votes,” he told a public meeting in Dasu, the headquarters of Upper Kohistan, on Sunday.

PML-N MPAs Salah Mohammad Khan, Abdul Sattar Khan and Mian Ziaur Rehman also spoke on the occasion.

The minister said that he personally believed in creation of more federating units for the better management of administrative issues. “We believe in the unity of country through brotherhood and harmony among people of its units. If more provinces are created, most of the issues and problems of people can be resolved at their doorsteps,” said Mr Yousuf.

Minister says creation of more provinces will resolve problems of people at their doorsteps

He said that Kohistan was an important district due to the future energy needs of the country. He said that prime minister gave top priority to completion of Diamer-Basha hydropower project and Dasu hydropower project, being built in Kohistan.

“I know Kohistan is a backward district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but government has been working on a comprehensive plan to put it on path of prosperity and development,” said Mr Yousuf.

He said that a fresh survey would also be carried out in the district to include more women in Benazir Income Support Programme.

“I am already in contact with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan for establishment of passport office here as Kohistanis are going to Battagram for getting passports,” said the minister.

Speaking on the occasion, MPA Abdul Sattar said that the recent rains wreaked havoc in the district as scores of people were killed and a large number of houses were destroyed by the flash floods. “The families of the victims were paid compensation money but agriculture loans of Rs40 million, which were waived off by prime minster, were yet to be written off by the bank,” said Mr Sattar.

Speaking on the occasion, Salah Mohammad Khan said that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government was only making tall claims about changing the fate of people in the province. He said that Kohistan was still deprived of basic amenities and better education and health services.

Published in Dawn, May 2nd, 2016