MINGORA: The participants of a jirga here on Tuesday expressed conflicting views about a proposal about bifurcation of Swat into two districts.

However, the president of Swat Traders Federation opposed the idea strongly and even threatened to launch a protest movement against the proposed bifurcation of the district.

The local leaders of political parties, elected representatives, members of district government, representatives of Swat Bar Association, traders and elders from across the district participated in the jirga.

The jirga was called by MPA Fazal Hakim Khan.

Taking part in the discussion, district nazim Mohammad Ali Shah strongly opposed the proposal. “The PTI government did nothing for the welfare of people of Swat,” he said.

Mr Shah, who belongs to PML-N, said that provincial government had no budget for development projects. He said that government deducted 50 per cent funds from the budget of district and tehsil councils owing to financial crisis.

“Bifurcation of a district needs funds worth billions of rupees and a lot of time,” said Mr Shah.

Published in Dawn January 4th, 2017