SWAT: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan here on Saturday announced a special development package of Rs1 billion for the construction of tehsil complex, upgradation of hospital, greater water supply scheme and other projects in Khwazakhela tehsil.

He announced the uplift package while addressing the workers convention of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf in Khwazakhela tehsil on the second day of his visit to Swat. MNA Dr Haider Ali and MPA Mian Sharafat Ali were also present on the occasion.

The chief minister said that he would make the promises that he could fulfil, as he did not believe in empty slogans and announcements. He said that before them the feudal lords, capitalists and industrialists ruled this country, but thanks to PTI that an ordinary political worker was now the chief minister of the province.

He said that incompetent people in the past ruled the country without any planning and strategy while relying only on external loans due to which the nation was facing inflation today.

Says govt taking practical steps for people’s welfare

He said the present provincial government was taking practical steps for welfare of the people.

“Rs10 billion has been allocated in the current budget for the food card through which free rations will be provided to the poor families on a monthly basis,” he said.

Mahmood Khan said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was one of the best places for tourism, but unfortunately in the past the sector was neglected. He said that huge funds had been earmarked for development of this sector by the present provincial government.

“Only this season, 2.7 million domestic and foreign tourists visited the tourist destinations of the province, which generated a turnover of Rs66 billion in the province,” he said.

He said the present government was working on important projects like CRBC, Gomal Zam Dam and Tank Zam Dam through which millions of acres of land in the southern districts would be brought under cultivation.

“Similarly, steps are being taken for the promotion of industrial and business activities and it is hoped that in the next five to six years people from other parts of the country will come to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to do business,” he said. The chief minister said his government was also taking steps for promotion of other sectors, including education, health and agriculture.

He said that the Fatehpur Irrigation Scheme had been approved while Guli Bagh water channel would be inaugurated this year. He said that work was underway on the feasibility of Khwazakhela and Bahrain bypass roads. In addition, degree colleges for boys and girls would be set up in the tehsil.

Apart from Fatehpur-Miandam road, the chief minister also inaugurated Rescue1122 station and Shalpin road.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2021