SWAT: Malakand Commissioner Shaukat Ali Yousafzai said here the other day that Swat Motorway Phase-II was an important project and all possible efforts would be made to solve the problems of the people affected by the scheme.

He was chairing a jirga held at his office in Saidu Sharif to listen to and address the grievances of the landowners, who might be affected by Swat Motorway Phase-II.

The jirga was attended by delegations from different parts of Swat and Malakand districts. The deputy commissioners of Malakand and Swat, Arif Khan Yousafzai and Junaid Khan, were also present on the occasion along with other relevant officials.

The members of the delegations from different areas presented their concerns, problems and suggestions regarding the project. They appealed to the provincial government and district administration to protect their lands, shops, buildings and homes.

They said that Chief Minister Mahmood Khan launched record development projects in Swat. They said that they were grateful to the chief minister and hoped that those affected by Swat Motorway Phase-II would be listened to and possible changes would be made in the plan of the project.

The commissioner said that problems arose in execution of mega development projects but those nations had succeeded in the world that gave priority to national and collective interests for moving forward. He said that all possible efforts were being made to minimise the problems of the people affected by the project.

Mr Yousafzai said that a delegation consisting of technical personnel proposed by the jirga would meet the relevant agencies and officials in Peshawar to re-examine any possibility of change the route of the motorway.

“The decision regarding Swat Motorway Phase-II will be based on justice and the project will be technically re-examined, if possible,” the commissioner told the jirga.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2022