MANSEHRA: Federal planning and development minister Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday launched work on the blacktopping of the Balakot-Garhi Habibullah Road and construction of the Hassa Bridge on the Kunhar River here.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved Rs1.2 billion funds for the two projects, according to PML-N central vice-president Sardar Mohammad Yusuf.

He told reporters here that funds for the road’s blacktopping and the bridge’s construction were okayed by the prime minister at the request of his special assistant Sardar Shahjehan Yusuf and former MNA retired Captain Mohammad Safdar.

Mr Yusuf said Mansehra and other parts of Hazara division were a stronghold of the PML-N, whose governments did a lot for the region’s development.

PML-N leader says construction of motorway to begin shortly

He said the Sharif family considered Hazara division to be its second home, so the PML-N government launched mega development projects there.

“Our party’s supremo, Nawaz Sharif, approved mega development projects for the Hazara division, including Hazara Motorway, while his younger brother and current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, too, launched airport, gas and other development projects,” he said.

The PML-N leader said those initiatives would bring socioeconomic changes to the lives of the residents.

He said the construction of the Mansehra-Muzaffarabad Motorway would begin shortly as the federal government had not only approved the mega project but also earmarked funds for it.

Meanwhile, the police arrested a man in Garhi Habibullah area and recovered a woman from his illegal custody.

Balakot deputy superintendent of police Saeed Jadoon told reporters that the woman, mother of four children, was allegedly kidnapped last month.

He said the woman’s recovery came during the raid on the house of her alleged kidnapper.

WORKSHOP: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority on Thursday trained a group of professionals in environmental protection.

The training workshop was held in collaboration with the World Bank in Naran area with hoteliers, tourist guides and government officials educated on sustainable tourism and waste management.

Kaghan Development Authority assistant director Asad Shahzad said there were several challenges in maintaining sustainable tourism as visitors and even professionals from the hospitality industry didn’t care about preserving forests, rivers and lakes.

He said waste management in tourist destinations, including Kaghan valley, was an uphill task.

“Not only should you act sensibly to preserve the environment but you should also educate visitors on littering,” he said.

He said deforestation also threatened the environment, so the hospitality industry should help authorities check illegal tree felling.

Faiz Khan of the KPCTA said more such training workshops and awareness walks were on the cards to ensure safe waste disposal.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2023