DERA GHAZI KHAN: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Sunday laid the foundation stones of eight projects worth billions of rupees for the development and progress of Fort Munro.

The chief minister who was accompanied by Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, Minister of State Zartaj Gul, Punjab Land Record Authority chairman Ahmad Ali Dareshak, Adviser Hanif Pitafi, Tourism Adviser Asif Mahmood and others inaugurated Solar Lights Network at Fort Munro, five-kilometre long Fort Munro-Langar Khandsar link road and upgradation and provision of basic facilities at the resort.

He also inaugurated the restoration project of historic buildings and annexe at Fort Munro. Among other projects are water supply scheme, project to promote tourism at Koh-e-Suleman, Rescue 1122 station and a high school.

Officials briefed Mr Buzdar on development projects including Fort Munro Cadet College and Welfare Complex.

The chief minister, the Senate chairman and others planted trees in the area.

The chief minister at a meeting with notables and tribal elders at Fort Munro said the Koh-e-Suleman Development Authority had been activated. He said Rs5.70 billion had been reserved for the development and welfare of the people of the area. The Punjab government, he said, had allocated 100 acre for the Fort Munro cadet college.

He said another cadet college would be set up at Koh-e-Suleman area for which a feasibility study was being conducted. The children of Koh-e-Suleman would be given free admission to the college besides provision of boarding and other expenses.

He said Fort Munro would be declared an urban area with the preparation of a master plan. He also promised installation of RO (reverse osmosis) plants, electricity in the areas of Sakhi Sarwar to Tuman Buzdar and Tuman Leghari, a veterinary hospital at Tuman Leghari and a hospital at Rakhni area of Balochistan.

Earlier, Usman Buzdar and Sadiq Sanjrani visited Abdul Rehman Khetran’s house and condoled his mother’s death.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2021