TIMERGARA: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan said on Thursday that government would overcome the problem of price hike and inflation soon as national economy was improving.

He was addressing a public gathering in Chakdara after inaugurating work on a bypass road project along with lawmakers from Lower Dir. The workers of ruling PTI from different parts of the district and local elders attended the function. The chief minister directed officials to work hard and honestly as per vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He said that government employees were service providers and they should either improve their performance or leave the province.

He announced to upgrade the tehsil headquarters hospital Chakdara to Category B hospital. He also announced to hand over the Gulabad-Sar Bala-Asbanr road to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Highways Authority for its better maintenance.

The chief minister said that feasibility of Chakdara-Chitral expressway was prepared and he would invite the prime minister to inaugurate work on the project. He said that Chakdara would be included in the beautification programme while scenic spots in Lower Dir would also be included in the tourism development programme.

Taking credit for regularising the services of 9,200 special police officers in the province, Mr Khan said that he fulfilled one of his pledges. He said that after the merger of former tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he was the first chief minister to govern such a big province. He also announced Rs50 million for construction of walking track along the Swat River, jeep-able track at Dir scenic spot and staff for dialysis centre in Chakdara hospital.

Mr Khan said that government released Rs500 million for construction of Sanam Dam in Asbanr area of Adenzai. The total cost of the project is Rs1.45 billion.

He said that government would establish at least one university in each district. “Till this July, almost all the population in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will have Sehat Sahulat Card,” said the chief minister.

He said that an industrial zone would be set up near Koto hydropower station in Lower Dir. He criticised Jamaat-i-Islami and said that the party kept Dir in the dark. He said he would soon visit Jandol area to announce mega projects.

On the occasion, the Afghan traders in the area kept their businesses closed on the directives of local administration.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2020