TAXILA: A Rs4 billion package has been approved for provision of sui gas to residents of 35 villages in NA-55 and NA-56, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said on Thursday.

He was talking to the media persons after holding an open court in Hassanabdal.

Work on a 28-kilometre long pipeline with a diameter of 24 inches, will begin soon and is expected to be completed in the current fiscal year, he said, adding Rs3 million has been allocated to solve the problem of low gas pressure in Hazro tehsil of Attock district.

He said 45 water filtration plants are also being installed in different areas of Attock, Hazro and Hassanabdal districts to ensure provision of clean drinking water to people.

The government is also planning to launch the Ten Billion Tree Honey initiative to enhance production of organic honey in the country and in this regard, National Vocational and Technical Training Commission shall provide training to selected beekeepers along with technical support.

He said establishment of 30 national parks was announced during the last 70 years, but nothing practical was done on the ground, however now, under the Protected Areas Initiative, the number of parks across all provinces is being increased by 45-50pc, with proper community-based management regimes in place.

Talking about the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), he said the alliance comprises all those who did nothing for the country and only indulged in corruption.

He said the opposition is trying to spread anarchy for advancement of its political agenda.

During the open court hearing, Mr Aslam listened to individual and collective problems of the people and issued orders to resolve them. Later, he inaugurated water filtration plants in Ghourghushti and Jalalaia villages along with a dental and digital x-ray unit in a rural health centre.

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2021