PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Wednesday agreed with the proposal of establishing integrated tourism zone in Orakzai district and directed the tourism department authorities to devise a comprehensive plan for establishment of integrated tourism zones in all merged districts in consultation with the concerned district administration.

Chairing a meeting of the provincial task force on merged districts here, the chief minister also directed the quarters concerned to take concrete steps for inclusion of the development schemes proposed by the provincial task force in the next Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP) or Annual Development Programme (ADP).

He said all projects of public importance be completed on priority, according to a statement issued here on Wednesday.

He directed the authorities concerned to complete process of creation of new posts for educational institutions and health facilities in Orakzai district at the earliest, saying all vacant posts in district administration should be filled on priority.

Asks tourism dept to devise plan for other merged districts

The meeting of task force was called to review the overall security situation, development and reforms initiatives and extension of provincial departments to newly-merged Orakzai district.

Besides provincial cabinet members Shaukat Yousafzai, Taimur Saleem Jhagra, Kamran Bangash and Ghazan Jamal, the meeting was also attended by Peshawar Corps Commander Lt-Gen Nauman Mahmood, chief secretary Dr Kazim Niaz and administrative secretaries of concerned departments.

Briefing the forum about overall developmental portfolio of Orakzai district, it was stated that multiple projects worth Rs36 billion had been reflected in current ADP and AIP.

The authorities on the occasion proposed rehabilitation and construction of 10 different roads to ensure efficient utilisation of mineral resources of the district. The meeting was informed that six potential tourist sites had been identified in the district which needed to be developed on sustainable basis.

In order to ensure efficient use of local resources, the forum agreed, in principle, to launch integrated development programme worth Rs2.10 billion in Orakzai district.

Similarly, it was decided to establish camping pods and tourist resort at Samana, a tourist spot of Orakzai district. In order to restore power supply in Upper Orakzai, the chief minister directed the authorities concerned to speed up work on 132KV Ghiljo grid station and power transmission line.

The meeting agreed to the proposals regarding conversion of model school, Orakzai, into FC Model School and upgradation of BHU Mamuzai to RHC.

The forum was informed that all Levies and Khasadars of the district had been absorbed into the regular police and training of 372 police personnel completed.

It was stated that recruitment against 370 vacant positions of constables in merged areas had been started while criteria for the appointment of female police officials was relaxed for Orakzai district.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2021