UPPER DIR: Malakand commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud has said that he will send his recommendations to the provincial government regarding establishment of a new division comprising districts of Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Chitral and Bajaur as population of the division had increased to nine million.

He said this while addressing a public meeting at the district councilhall on Tuesday.

Army’s operational commander Brig Abbas Haider, deputy commissioner Irfanullah Mehsud, political leaders and elders were also present.

Riaz Mehsud said the population of Malakand division had increased manifold which was difficult to be managed by a single administrator. So, he added establishment of a new division was need of the hour.

The commissioner said he would send his recommendations to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for establishing a new division comprising Upper and Lower Dir, Chitral and Bajaur districts.

Mr Mehsud said the provincial government was going to inaugurate mega projects like Swat Motorway on May 25, which would prove a game changer for the people of Malakand. He said the people of Upper Dir had given numerous sacrifices for restoring peace in the region.

He vowed to provide basic facilities to the tourist spots, including Kumrat, Usheri Dara, Zakhana, Lowari and others to boost tourism.

Mr Mehsud said 50 scholarships would be given to the students of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sheringal, from Pakistan Baitul Maal. He said he would try to establish Darul Amaan in Upper Dir, adding the vacant positions of tehsildars would also be filled.

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2019