LOWER DIR: A sub-committee of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s Standing Committee on Health has set the deadline of May 15 for complete delivery and activation of medical equipment at the yet-to-be-functional Timergara Medical College (TMC) in Lower Dir.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the sub-committee on Wednesday. The meeting of the panel was held in the college with MPA Ubaid ur Rehman in the chair. The meeting was meant to verify the status of equipment procured for the institution.

A four-member oversight committee, led by deputy commissioner, was constituted to ensure compliance with the decision. Other members of the committee include principal of the college, medical superintendent of Timergara hospital, and a representative of Khyber Medical University (KMU), Mohammad Tayyab. It has been tasked to ensure timely delivery of all equipment and making operational the existing machinery within one month.

The meeting was attended by the special assistant to chief minister on population welfare, MPA Malik Liaqat Ali Khan, the special assistant to CM on prisons, MPA Humayun Khan, MPAs Zar Alam Khan, Sobia Shahid and Shafiullah Khan, Director General Health Services Dr Mohammad Saleem, committee secretary Inamullah Khan, assistant secretary Malik Hassanzeb and other officials.

Committee formed to ensure compliance with the decision

The committee members were briefed on missing or non-functional equipment. They were told that procurement of items was near completion. They expressed dismay over delay in making the college operational.

Mr Tayyab informed the committee that 90 per cent of the college’s development work was completed, with only minor tasks pending. He said that the institution could become functional within two months if the requirements set by Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) were met.

“Out of 1,000 marks required for recognition, the college already has 600 marks. PMDC’s three key requirements include proper infrastructure, qualified faculty, and availability of biomedical equipment,” he said.

The committee members said that relevant departments must take full responsibility making the college functional within the given timeframe.

EXAM: Shahid Ali Khan Orakzai, the regional director of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), visited examination centres in Lower Dir on Thursday to review arrangements and interact with students and staff.

Centres have been established in Munda and Government Centennial Model High School Timergara where examinations for various academic programmes are underway.

Mr Orakzai expressed satisfaction over managements for examinations. He was briefed by superintendent Rahatullah Khan on the facilities provided to students and the steps taken to prevent cheating. The regional director appreciated the efforts made to ensure a fair and student-friendly environment.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2025