Infrastructure initiatives: K-P governor launches gas pipeline, vows to expedite development

Engineer Shaukatullah also directed to establish an industrial estate in FR Kohat.

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Engineer Shaukatullah was directed to establish an industrial estate in Frontier Region Kohat while launching a natural gas project in Darra Adam Khel on Saturday.

The gas project costs more than Rs76 million and the 17-kilometre pipeline, said to be completed within a couple of months, will offer 50 connections for commercial purposes, in addition to providing 3,500 domestic links to 45,000 residents.

The governor also announced that he was expediting efforts to establish a grid station and exploring the possibilities of launching socio-economic schemes, including upgrading a high school in Zarghunkhel functioning since the pre-partition era.

Accompanying the governor was his Principal Secretary Muhammad Abid Majeed, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) Secretary for Social Sector Aftab Akbar Durrani, Commissioner of Kohat Sahibzada Muhammad Anis and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines General Manager Haroon Khan among others.

The governor also conveyed good wishes on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari. “Before coming to launch this project, I met with him to discuss future development programmes for Fata,” he said, adding this will gradually lead to more projects.

Responding to the demands put forward by a tribal elder, Haji Noor Zaman Afridi, the governor said the Fata Development Authority had already completed the feasibility study for the establishment of the Industrial Estate and funds will be allocated under the ensuing Annual Development Programme (ADP).

The cost of land acquired to build Fata University has been disbursed and efforts are underway to launch the university in a temporary building, the governor added, requesting tribal elders to cooperate with respective authorities.

The governor also gave his approval to set up a D-Type Hospital at Darra Adam Khel and hinted at ensuring sufficient funding for the next fiscal year.

Commenting on the lack of drinking water facilities in Torchappar, Jawaki and Bosti Khel, the governor advised concerned authorities to explore possibilities for launching solar powered water supply schemes and to resolve the grievances of locals.  Shaukatullah was warmly welcomed by tribal elders upon his arrival and was presented with traditional gifts, including a sheep.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2013.