TIMERGARA, Jan 8: Minister for Water and Power, Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, has announced projects worth Rs 110 million for the electrification of Lower Dir, said an official handout.

It said 57 villages would be electrified while Rs 650,000  would be spent for improvement of transmission and distribution lines of Pesco.

This he said while speaking at public meetings in Chakdara and Timergara on Wednesday. Assuring the release of Pakistani detainees in Afghanistan the minister said: “We are trying to release those Pakistanis who are in Afghanistan jail after 9/11.” He said he would be sending experts to suggest ways and means to protect River Swat from soil erosion in the area.

He also promised to take up the issue of quota in professional colleges of the NWFP for the students of Lower Dir.

The minister said the government was fully aware of the financial problems of the common man as a result of upward trend of prices of essential commodities and said the prime minister would announce a relief package before Eid to ensure the provision of wheat, flour, sugar and ghee on subsidised prices.

The minister assured that eight digital telephone exchanges shall be installed and survey for the provision of Sui gas to Dir would be conducted soon.

MNA Ahmad Hassan Khan also spoke on the occasion and demanded extension of utilities such as Sui gas and telephone for this far-flung area.