MANSEHRA: Chairmen of village and neighbourhood councils here have demanded of the government to declare Tanawal as another district of the Hazara division.

“Tanawal is a backward region, and if the government really wants to end the people’s deprivation, it should immediately notify it a district,” Sajjad Ahmad, chairman of Pulrah village council, told a gathering held in Katara area on Monday.

Mr Ahmad said that the people of Tanawal were deprived of prosperity and development and the government should announce the district status for it.

Speaking on the occasion, Nawabzada Khurram Khan, chairman of Perhana village council, said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had given Tanawal a tehsil status, which was a good sign, but centuries-old deprivations of people could only be ended if it was made a district.

“We are united in our appeal to the government to declare Tanawal as a separate district,” he said.

He said that the people of Tanawal were mature enough and understood, who was making false claims and who was sincerely working for their rights.

“Our struggle for having Tanawal as another district of Hazara division would continue,” Mr Khan vowed.

On the occasion, Sawan Mera village council chairman Mohammad Naveed Tanoli said that the government should notify Tanawal as district. “Our unity is our strength, which will pave the way for Tanawal being declared as a district,” he said. Naveed Tanoli said that they were already in contact with different political parties to get their support for the cause.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2023