Complex for Tirah tehsil hospital to be ready by June

CM inaugurates border security post

PESHAWAR: The provincial chief executive on Wednesday assured residents of the militancy-hit Khyber tribal district of rapid development following the merger of the erstwhile federally administered tribal areas (Fata)  and the appointment of staff in existing facilities at the earliest to provide relief to the local population.

This was stated by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Wednesday as he visited Rajgal sector in Tirah Valley of Khyber tribal district where he formally inaugurated a border security post at fort Chaghi to crackdown on cross-border smuggling and to improve security.

He was briefed in detail about the security arrangements at the border.

During his visit, Mahmood also announced to grant Tirah the status of a tehsil while a well-equipped hospital will be set up for the local community. He also visited the Tirah Educational Complex in the Painda Cheena area of the valley, inspecting the facilities being provided there.

He also visited a free medical camp set up by Frontier Corps-North.

Speaking to a delegation of tribal elders in Painda Cheena, Mahmood lamented that certain anti-merger elements were still trying to sabotage the integration through propaganda for selfish intentions.

He told the tribal elders that after the merger, the government has undertaken drastic developmental changes in the tribal districts, including the 10-year developmental plan to achieve short, mid and long-term development goals.

Highlighting steps already taken under the integration plan, he said that they have inducted around 28,000 levies and Khasdar forces into the K-P police force.

Mahmood added that the government will provide free medical facilities to all residents of the tribal district under the Sehat Insaf Card scheme. Further, the youth will be provided with interest-free loans under the Insaf Rozgar Scheme.

“The incumbent government is focused on uplifting all backward areas of the province to ensure uniform and sustainable development,” Mahmood said.

In this regard, he said that the government is building 150 kilometres of roads in Bara and Tirah valley areas of Khyber, whilst special attention has also been given to proposed projects such as the Barakas Dam to solve water supply issues in the region.

He further assured that buildings for the Tehsil and Tirah Hospital will be completed by next June, while they were working on appointing staff in all the hospitals and schools in the tribal districts. The chief minister further stated that security and stability are paramount for development.

“Peace has been established in the province, especially in the tribal districts, after civilians and armed forces rendered numerous sacrifices,” he said, adding that the government will ensure peace and security endures by taking stern measures against those involved in destabilizing the region.

Commenting on the recently passed amendments to the mines and minerals law, Mahmood clarified that leases for exploration of minerals in the tribal districts will be provided to locals.

He also assured the provision of compensation to traders of Tirah bazaar, apart from the provision of the martyr's package and rehabilitation of the Kokikhel Tribe. 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2019.