KHAR: Commissioner Malakand division Zaheerul Islam has asked the local officials to develop friendly relations with the local people in order to restore their confidence in the administration.

He was speaking at an open kutcheri held by him during a visit to the agency here on Sunday.

Local people, elders and activists of political parties attended the function. Senior officials of the political administration and other departments, including political agent Abdul Amir Khattak and assistant political agents, were also present on the occasion.

The commissioner said that the officials were the permanent servants of the people in a civilised society and they should discharge their duties with dedication for the welfare of masses.

He said that most of officials changed their priorities when they were appointed in the tribal areas and they preferred personal interests to people’s welfare, which could not be tolerated anymore.

He said that the government had decided to keep a close watch on officials in the tribal areas to improve their efficiency.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2017