DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has said that establishment of durable peace in the province is his government’s top priority.

He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony organised at the Circuit House here in connection with the groundbreaking of various development projects in Dera.

The projects, which would be completed with the support of the World Bank, included 14 link roads, five bridges and reconstruction and repair of flood-hit roads and bridges.

A total of Rs9 billion would be spent on them.

Mr Gandapur said modern equipment and weapons would be provided to the police to help them effectively clamp down on militants. “More recruitments would be made in the police department.”

Performs groundbreaking of various projects in Dera

The chief minister said that the health card programme would be expanded.

He said he was the chief minister of the entire province, and would work for development of all the districts.

He said construction of flyovers in Dera was delayed, but he would ensure their early completion.

He said competent officers were being encouraged in the departments.

The chief minister said officers and officials of the departments were performing their duties for the people, so people should respect them.

He also said rehabilitation centres were being established in government and private hospitals for treatment of drug addicts.

“Solar systems are being provided to people to help them rid of inflated power bills and loadshedding,” he said, and urged the consumers to help the government curb power theft.

The chief minister also planted saplings on the lawns of the Circuit House as part of monsoon tree plantation drive.

MNAs Sardar Faisal Amin Khan Gandhapur and Dawar Khan Kundi, MPA Usman Khan Betanni, Dera tehsil mayor Sardar Umar Amin Khan Gandapur, Dera commissioner Syed Abdul Jabbar Shah, deputy commissioner Sara Rehman and a large number of people were also present on the occasion.

TWO ARRESTED: The Tank police foiled a narcotics smuggling bid and arrested two persons with 96 kilogrammes of hashish on Saturday.

DSP city circle Saleem Khan and Shaheed Mureed Akbar police station Sher Afzal Khan told a press conference that the drug was being smuggled from Dera to Tank. They said the police created a blockade on Dera-Tank Road near Manjhikhel Chowki, and stopped a vehicle loaded with fruit.

They said upon checking, the police recovered 90 packets containing 96.78kg hashish.

The police also arrested vehicle’s driver, Tanvir Ahmad, resident of Dera, and his accomplice, Qaiser Rasheed, also of Dera.

The police also registered a case against them.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2024