PHC told Galiyat’s development is on the cards

Court also sets aside death sentence of murder convict.

PESHAWAR: To promote tourism and attract more people to the scenic Galiyat valley, the K-P government has released Rs150 million for reconstruction of the area. It has also decided to charge Rs30 as an entry free for visitors.

These details were revealed by the Galiyat Development Authority’s counsel Asghar Khan as he argued before a division bench of the Peshawar High Court on Friday.

The bench, of justices Yahya Afridi and Syed Afsar Shah, was hearing a case regarding development in Galiyat.

When the hearing commenced, Asghar said that besides reconstruction of roads and passageways, there were steps taken to ensure the picturesque valley was kept clean. The initiative to keep the area spic and span was taken in collaboration with World Wildlife Federation (WWF). The advocate claimed tourists would be provided with biodegradable bags to protect the environment from hazardous plastics.

Asghar also produced a comprehensive report before the bench and stated a fresh master plan had been prepared and contracted to a firm.



He continued all environmental aspects were taken care of and efforts were being made to maintain the natural beauty of the area.

“Modern facilities will be provided to attract tourists from across the country, along with international tourists,” he contended.

The GDA lawyer said a computerised database of all the plots and landlords was being prepared to facilitate locals in allotment of plots.

He also told the bench GDA has its own website where people could registered their complaints and offer suggestions on further development.

A monitoring cell of 14 officers has been set up to monitor development activities and address tourist complaints.

Asghar said WWF was involved in improving the sewerage system and disposing waste generated from across Galiyat. He said a letter has been sent to the local government authorities to form a committee to manage the development affairs.

The bench, after hearing the arguments, adjourned the case, saying it would review the report.

Death sentence set aside

The same bench, while hearing an appeal of a murder convict, set aside his death sentence and ordered his release.

PHC, while hearing a judicial review appeal filed by Ramiz Raja, through his counsel Ishtiaq Ibrahim, was told that the petitioner was handed a death sentence on charges of murdering a woman in the jurisdiction of Khushal Garh police station.

Ibrahim argued the deceased woman, namely Saeeda, went to collect firewood from a nearby forest where she was gunned down and the petitioner was arrested for killing her. He stated there were no utensils at the crime scene to suggest the victim was collecting firewood.

He stated the FIR was registered three hours after her death, while the body remained at the crime scene a while later.

He said witnesses’ statements were also inconsistent and requested the verdict of the trial court be set aside.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2016.