BUNER, Dec 22: Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti on Monday announced various development schemes worth Rs450 million in the district despite a stay order issued by the district returning officer on uplift work.

The chief minister announced the uplift package while addressing a public gathering at Kinger Gali here. He also announced Rs0.5 million for the Buner press club.

Following complaints of some of the candidates that the provincial government was influencing the polls by launching different development schemes, DRO Anwer Ali Khan, who was also the district and sessions judge, on Friday directed the deputy director works and services, Buner and the Pesco executive engineer to discontinue work on different developmental schemes. He also directed the district accounts officer not to release funds for such projects till completion of the polls

The development schemes announced by the chief minister on Monday include a link road between Kingar Gali and Mian Khan Sangahoo, construction of bridges at Channar and Elai, a small dam at Legani, a building for degree college in Jure and appointment of college staff and other requirements, building of a primary school for boys in Nanseer and installation of a tubewell and a transformer at Kingar Gali village. The chief minister also announced Rs50 million for 27 union councils of the district.

The NWFP chief minister held the previous MMA government responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation in the province especially in the Swat valley.

The chief minister promised that he would utilise all his energies and good office to develop the province on modern lines.

He said Buner would be given special attention and brought at far with developed districts of the province. He urged the locals to continue their fight against the miscreants to restore peace in the region.

The chief minister later attended a lunch at the residence of district nazim Haji Rouf Khan, where he addressed a press conference. The chief minister said the country was passing through a critical time and urged upon media men to play their positive role in exposing the anti-state elements.

The chief minister was accompanied by ANP provincial president Afrasiab Khattak, ministers Sardar Hussain Babak, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, Arbab Ayoub Jan, Syed Aqil Shah and others.

MARDAN: Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, addressing a public gathering here on the occasion of inaugurating Rustam-Malandary road on Monday, said violence was not the solution to the problems, and suggested talks to address the issues. But, he vowed those who would not lay down arms, would be dealt with an iron hand.

He blamed the MMA government for harbouring terrorism and militancy, claiming the ANP was out to protect the life and property of Pakhtun nation. He said jirgas and dialogue was the only possible path to conflicts resolution, reiterating his talks offer to the Taliban to save the province from further destruction.

Mr Hoti claimed that the construction of Rustam-Malandary road would play a crucial role in the development of both Buner and Mardan districts.

Mr Hoti announced a girls college in Rustam, provision of drinking water at Badam village and appointment of more staff to Rustam school and hospital. He also announced Rs300,000 for library at Sodhoom children academy.

It may be added that some unhappy workers of the ANP staged a protest at the arrival of Mr Hoti to his home constituency in front of the Mardan Press Club. They demanded removal of the district president and general secretary of the party.—Bureau Report