PESHAWAR, Feb 19 The NWFP chief minister has announced establishment of a new tehsil in Mardan district.

Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti made this announcement while addressing representatives of the new tehsil, Katlang, here on Friday. The commissioner, DIG, DCO, DPO and a large number of notables of Mardan were present on the occasion.

The chief minister also announced construction of a new highway from Chakdara to Kernal Sher Khan village via Katlang. He said that establishment of Katlang as a tehsil was a longstanding demand of the people.

“The new tehsil composes of 13 union councils having a population of 260,000. It will help the people to solve their problems at their doorstep and construction of the new highway will provide an alternative route to Malakand, Mardan and Swabi,” he said.

“Mega projects in communication sector will usher a new era of development not only in Mardan but will also create new opportunities of development in other associated districts as well,” he said, adding that employment and business activities would increase in the region, and people would be provided with better travelling facilities.

The chief minister said that he would soon lay foundation stone of the Bazai irrigation scheme, adding that about Rs2 billion would be spent on the plan to irrigate 25,000 acres of barren land in Malakand and Mardan. —Bureau Report