Swat motorway to be extended to Maidan, Chitral

CM Mahmood hands out degrees, medals to 184 graduates of Malakand University

PESHAWAR: As part of its efforts to make the province more accessible — for tourists and traders — the provincial government on Thursday expressed its desire to extend the new motorway being built in the province to the remote scenic valley of Chitral and Maidan in the Swat Valley.

This was stated by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Thursday while addressing the fifth convocation of the University of Malakand in Chakdara. He distributed degrees and medals to 184 students, including 60 who obtained a distinction in their exam.

Addressing the students, Mahmood stated that the first phase of the Swat Motorway will be completed this year. He continued that in the next phase of the project, the motorway will be extended to Madian and Chitral.

CM Mahmood further expressed his satisfaction over the speedy progress made by the university. He recalled how the varsity university had started with just six departments but was now offering degrees in 28 different disciplines.

Reiterating his administration’s desire to strengthen higher education institutions in the province so that they can fulfil national economic needs and compete in the global knowledge economy, Mahmood said that he aimed to turn the Malakand Division into a hub for higher education.

In this regard, he said that they have already announced to upgrade the Abdul Wali Khan University’s Timergara campus into a full-fledged university while classes have begun in the women campus of Malakand University in Batkhela.

He urged the varsity to promote research and chalk out a roadmap for the coming decades to establish a strong base for indigenous research. In this regard, he urged varsities to establish links with local industry for sustainable growth and development of research.

“K-P has rich potential for tourism, hydropower, agriculture, mines and minerals sectors,” he said, adding that varsities must pursue research in these areas.

He also inaugurated a newly-built science block and Student Service Centre in the varsity. The chief minister assured that the funding requirements of the university will be fulfilled in the next Annual Development Programme (ADP).

Mahmood said that Pakistan is facing multiple challenges, both internally and externally. However, he assured that the economic problems of the country will be resolved soon.

Malakand University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Gul Zaman highlighted the educational activities of the varsity.

Later on, CM Mahmood also administered the oath of office to the newly-elected cabinet of the Chakdara Press Club and the Chakdara Bar Association. He announced a grant of Rs2 million for the Chakdara Press Club.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2019.