SHANGLA: Malakand division commissioner Zaheerul Islam has directed the heads of the line departments to resolve the people’s problems on priority basis.

He stated this while speaking at an open kutchery in Bisham on Friday. Shangla deputy commissioner Hamid ur Rehman, assistant commissioner Bisham Khuram Rehman Jadoon and heads of line departments were present.

People from different union councils of Bisham pointed out issues of their respective areas.

They complained that Pesco officials did not carry out meter-reading and sent inflated bills in Losar, Shang area. They said a road blocked by a landslide had yet to be reopened to traffic.

The residents complained that Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (Pedo) was installing heavy pylons of the 11.8MW hydropower project in Butyal area, but without paying them the compensation for the land used for the purpose.

They also complained that local girl schools were facing shortage of staff.

The residents also demanded of the divisional commissioner to lift ban on use of re-assembled vehicles in the region because people had bought the vehicles for earning livelihood for their families. They also demanded construction of the Kormang bridge, and filing the vacant posts in the area’s government high school.

The elders demanded deployment of a registrar in the Bisham tehsil to rid the people of going to Alpuri.

The commissioner on the occasion directed the line departments’ heads serve the people with an efficient manner.

He warned that if anyone was found involved in corruption he would be punished.

Later, while talking to mediapersons, the commissioner said the inquiry committees formed at the divisional and district levels would ensure quality work on development schemes.

He said both the KP and the federal government were going to start work on major road projects in the region with a view to boosting tourism.

The commissioner also planted saplings at the under-construction Tehsil Complex Bisham.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2021