MANSEHRA: The National Highway Authority will launch a week-long anti-encroachment campaign on Hazara Motorway from Havelian section to Thakot section today (Monday).

“We first served notices on encroachers and will now pull down illegal buildings and structures on Hazara Motorway,” project director of the motorway’s Havelian-Thakot section Chaudhry Masood told reporters.

He said in the first phase of the drive, commercial buildings constructed alongside interchanges from Mansehra city to Battle would be demolished with the help of district administration.

The official said the second phase would target encroachments on the interchange link roads and infrequent routes from Battle to Thakot-Battagram, while in the third and final phase, the Mansehra- Havelian section would be cleared.

He said the exercise would improve flow of traffic on the road and reduce accidents.

WATER SCHEME: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan will inaugurate the Rs10 billion gravity flow water scheme here soon, said local PTI MPA Babar Saleem Swati.

The lawmaker told a party gathering here the other day that the mega water project to be executed with the help of Saudi funding would address the serious drinking water issue in Mansehra city and its suburbs.

He said Rs200 million was earmarked for 16 union councils in PK-31 constituency, while funds would be spent on the women’s development as well.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Sajjad, 28, committed suicide in Pulrah area here by shooting himself.

The police registered an FIR and began investigation to ascertain the cause of suicide.

EDUCATION: Higher education secretary Daud Khan has urged the students to focus on education for own and national development.

Addressing a book launching ceremony in the Hazara University’s campus here the other day, the secretary said the countries, which had excelled in the field of science and technology and gave their youths contemporary education, were ruling the world.

He said research-based education was direly needed for development, so the higher education department was striving for its promotion.

Mr Daud urged students to carry out research in science and technology.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2021