PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Friday inaugurated a 32-kilometre and Rs1 billion worth of gas pipeline in Achani Bala area of the provincial capital.

Addressing a special ceremony here, the CM said the initiative would address the issue low gas pressure in Peshawar and its suburbs, including Hayatabad Industrial Estate, by the replacement of rusty pipeline. He said the gas pipeline along the BRT route would be upgraded.

Mr Mahmood said the resolution of gas issue would boost economic activities in Peshawar.

He asked the ruling PTI’s political rivals not to politicise the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit and other mega projects meant for the people’s welfare.

The chief minister said the BRT project would address decades old traffic congestion in the city to the relief of road users, especially commuters.

He said Peshawar had one main artery and therefore, the ever-increasing traffic burden on it should be addressed.

Mr Mahmood said the gas pipeline’s upgradation would generate economic activity and revive sick industries in Peshawar. He said he would inaugurate upgraded gas pipeline in Swat next week.

The chief minister said the government would ensure that Pesco should deliver along the lines the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited had delivered.

He said the people’s grievances about the electric supply company would be addressed.

Mr Mahmood warned the Pesco against issuing inflated bills and said at his request, the prime minister had ordered the provision of relief to the affected people.

He said his government would support institutions if they delivered the goods.

The chief minister later told reporters that implementation of the National Action Plan was much linked to national security and people’s development.

He said his government wanted to execute projects of public welfare.

Mr Mahmood said for the last four decades, none of the governments had focused attention on the people’s development but his government was striving to serve the purpose.

He said work on the dualisation of Indus Highway would begin soon, while similar projects would be initiated in other areas as well.

The chief minister said the newly-merged tribal districts would have a developmental strategy for which allocation would be made on a priority basis.

Finance minister Taimur Saleem Jahgra, MNA Arbab Sher Ali, MPAs Asif Khan, Pir Fida and Faheem Khan, Peshawar district nazim Mohammad Asim, SNGPL general manager Arbab Saqib and other officials concerned attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2019