LOWER DIR:Former emir of the Jamaat-i-Islami Sirajul Haq on Tuesday said the country was on the verge of collapse due to the failure of its political and economic systems.

He called for unity among stakeholders and the signing of a new social contract, insisting the people no longer trust parliament, judiciary, and security establishment.

“All political leaders, judges, generals, and bureaucrats should unite and sign a new social contract to save the country from destruction,” Mr Haq told a convention of local government members in Balambat here.

Former minister Inayatullah Khan, former MPA Izazul Mulk Afkari and JI district general secretary Hafiz Yaqoobur Rehman also spoke on the occasion.

Ex-JI chief calls for unity among stakeholders, new social contract

The former JI chief said all major political parties had disappointed the people with their policies and actions.

He said all national institutions should play their due role in strengthening the country and protecting its interests.

Former local government minister Inayatullah Khan said the current local body system in the province had failed to deliver the goods due to the government’s apathy.

He said the mayor and tehsil and village council chairmen didn’t have powers and development funds.

Mr Inayatullah said the local government’s representatives in the province had long been protesting the denial of rights.

He demanded adequate funds and powers for local bodies to strengthen the LG system.

Meanwhile, the newly-appointed deputy commissioner, Mohammad Arif Khan, assumed his responsibilities and met senior officials of the administration here on Tuesday.

The participants included additional deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners and additional assistant commissioners and heads of other government departments, who briefed Mr Mohammad Arif about development projects, medical and educational facilities, and people’s issues.

The DC asked them to ensure the timely implementation of projects and good governance.

He ordered the speedy disposal of revenue cases.

INAUGURATED: Provincial police chief Akhtar Hayat Khan on Tuesday visited the Lower Dir district and inaugurated the newly-built model police station in Timergara.

DPO Mazhar Iqbal briefed him about the security situation in the district.

The police chief told police officials and local elders that the model police station’s establishment would ensure the speedy yet effective resolution of people’s issues.

He chaired a meeting at the DPO office and expressed satisfaction with the law and order situation in the district.

Mr Akhtar launched the monsoontree plantation campaign by planting a deodar sapling.

He said all vacancies in the department would be filled in a transparent manner.

The police chief praised the province’s police as a force of martyrs and veterans, who, he said, sacrificed their lives for peace.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2024