President inaugurates Peshawar-Torkham Highway

JAMRUD/LANDIKOTAL: President Mamnoon Hussain inaugurated the Peshawar-Torkham Highway here in Shagai, Khyber Agency, on Thursday and expressed the hope that it would usher in a new era of peace, prosperity and progress in the region.
Speaking at a ceremony in Jamrud, the President said completion of the highway project was a clear indication that the enemy was retreating. He stated that the highway would play the role of a bridge and connect the countries of West and Central Asia.
The President, who was on his first visit to the area, said the highway would not only play an important role in improving the situation in the tribal areas of Pakistan but also have a positive impact on Afghanistan.
He noted with happiness that the Peshawar-Torkham Highway would provide better means of communication to the tribal people and enable them an easy access to modern centres of health and education.
The President praised the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) for building and completing the road within the stipulated time. He noted that the FWO had also built 680 kms roads in other areas in Fata which had interconnected various tribal areas and provided modern communication facilities to the people.
He appreciated the FWO for laying 132 kilowatt transmission line from Gomal to Wana in South Waziristan and building the 132 kilowatt grid station in Wana.
He thanked the US government for financing the construction of the highway.
Mamnoon Hussain noted that owing to external factors and complexities, the situation would have been worse had the brave and valiant jawans and officers of the Pakistan Army not acted to stem lawlessness and bloodshed.
He observed that the operation Zarb-e-Azb was launched after peaceful means to solve the issue failed. He said the sacrifices rendered by the Pakistan Army have earned successes in the operation. “The people stand by the armed forces in the operation against terrorism,” he stressed, adding it would be taken to its logical conclusion.
The President said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a grand project which would benefit the entire region.
He opined that the Karachi operation was yielding positive results and the city of lights is returning to normalcy.
Later addressing a tribal elders’ jirga, President Mamnoon Hussain announced billions of rupees development schemes for Fata.
He pointed out that the people of the tribal areas have bravely faced adverse conditions and saved other areas of the country from a host of problems. “It would not be an exaggeration if you are given the title of Mohsin-e-Pakistan,” he remarked.
Mamnoon Hussain said the nation was proud of the people of Fata for their extraordinary services in all walks of life, including the economy, trade and politics.
He said the project for development of Bazar Zakhakhel and Bara had been included in the Annual Development Programme and work is in progress for improvement in Malagori Industrial Zone.
He announced that approval has been accorded for construction of road to link Bara with Tirah and Jamrud with Chapri, adding that work on these projects will begin soon.
The President said instructions had been issued to the director education to complete the process for filling new vacancies for the promotion of higher education and ensuring that no student is deprived of admission.
He assured the tribal notables and members of parliament that the Fata Reforms Commission will soon complete its work in consultation with them to reform the system and bring Fata on a par with other areas of the country.
The President also announced construction of new roads and sports stadium in the tribal areas.
In his address, Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan said it has been decided to grant domicile to the minorities living in the tribal areas, adding they would also be given representation in the jirga.