MANSEHRA: Awami National Party leader Amir Haider Khan Hoti on Wednesday inaugurated work on a bridge on the Indus River to link Torghar district with Peshawar saying the initiative promises development.

He told the inaugural ceremony in Kunhar Sharif area of Torghar that the government had earmarked funds for the project, the second largest in the district, which would be executed in a couple of weeks.

“Besides nearly halving travel time between Torghar and Peshawar, the bridge will also connect the areas inhabited by five major tribes of the district for centuries,” he said.

Mr Hoti said he had special affection for the people of Torghar as he, as the CM in 2011, approved the district’s status for their then tribal area, and earmarked an Rs6 billion special package for the development of infrastructure and other facilities.

He said his party would sweep the upcoming elections to form the government in the province to address the people’s deprivation.

Former chairman of the Torghar district development advisory committee and MPA Laiq Mohammad Khan said despite opposition in the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government, he initiated mega development projects.

He said he had taken initiatives to provide education and healthcare to the people and laid the foundation stones of schools, colleges and district headquarters hospital.

ENCROACHMENTS: The tehsil municipal administration on Wednesday launched an anti-encroachment crackdown in Mansehra city and its suburbs.

The TMA officials accompanied by the police removed temporary encroachments and handcarts from the Abbottabad Road, Kashmir Road, Shinkiari Road and roads on the city’s suburbs.

TMA officer (encroachments) Mohammad Iqbal said notices were served on shop and market owners for voluntary demolition of illegal structures.

He said the TMA was clearing encroachments from the roads to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

Mr Iqbal said vehicle arrivals in Kaghan valley were on the rise during the ongoing tourism season, so the anti-encroachment campaign would benefit visitors.

He said encroachments would be removed from Lari Adda and adjoining areas as well.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2023