CM defends development priorities

Says more development schemes allocated for Dir

PESHAWAR: With a number of development projects and a significant chunk of the funds allocated for development going towards projects in a particular radius, the chief minister on Friday sought to defend them by clarifying that they were focusing on the uniform development of the entire province through a comprehensive approach.

In this regard, he said that more developmental schemes have been allocated for Dir in the current Annual Development Programme (ADP) than at any time in the past to develop this region.

This was stated by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Friday while speaking to representatives of PK-17 from Maidan in Dir at the CM House in Peshawar.

The delegation briefed Mahmood about the issues of their constituency. The chief minister assured the delegation that the development of Dir was a priority for the government.

“We are working for the development of all those underprivileged areas which were previously ignored,” he said, adding the provincial government is looking for sustainable development of the entire province.

He, however, clarified that no development scheme for Dir was stopped nor was any scheme abolished. He urged them not to pay any attention to the negative propaganda of the opposition.

Mahmood added that work is underway to provide basic facilities including health and education and that all problems will be resolved with time.

Reiterating the oft-repeated excuse, Mahmood said that previous governments never did anything for Dir. By contrast, he claimed that the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has initiated multiple schemes, including the construction of roads and other developmental projects to facilitate the public.

“The PTI government does not believe in the politics of allegations, instead we are taking pragmatic steps for the uplift of backward areas,” Mahmood claimed.

The chief minister went on to assure that all available resources will be utilised to facilitate and provide a livelihood to the common man.

“We are taking concrete steps for accomplishing all our promises,” he said, adding that the provincial government is working to promote tourism in the district to boost the economy of the province and to provide employment to the locals.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2019.