Govt believes in uniform development of province, says CM

By PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has stated that the government believes in uniform development of the province with special focus on uplift of backward areas in order to ensure sustainable development.

Speaking at a meeting with opposition MPAs in Chief Minister’s House, Mahmood Khan said that the development agenda of the incumbent government was focused on undertaking development initiatives keeping in view its significance and importance for the local citizens and the province as a whole.

The political favoritism and unjust distribution of funds would not be tolerated, he said, and assured the opposition members of assembly that due importance would be given to their opinions with regard to the development projects in the province.

The meeting was also attended by Minister Law Sultan Muhammad Khan, Minister C & W Akbar Ayub Khan, Minister Information Shaukat Yousafzai, Minister for Food Qalandar Lodhi, Principal Secretary to CM Shahab Ali Shah and Opposition MPAs including Sardar Babak, Khushdil Khan, Inayatullah, Munawar Khan and others.

The chief minister was briefed in detail on the issues and problems faced by the opposition MPAs in their respective constituencies.

He stated that a separate meeting would be held for resolution of gas royalty issue in Karak district for which comprehensive and workable plan would be chalked out.

Similarly, he said that mega project would be initiated in Karak for provision of clean drinking water to local citizens. The chief minister principally agreed with the proposal of forming of ministerial committee for the resolution of the issues of district Karak and Kohat. He also stated that separate meeting would be held on the development projects in the newly merged districts in which detailed presentation will be given to MPAs of the concerned tribal districts so that they can play their vital role in the completion of these schemes.

Earlier, the opposition members staged a protest outside the provincial assembly in support of their demands. They ended the protest after provincial minister for information Shaukat Yousafzai assured them of equal distribution of funds.

KOHAT: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has said that he has introduced valuable reforms by implementing educational emergency in the province since. “We have been able to restore public confidence in public-run schools which is evidence enough of our unusual interest and policies for education. In addition to raising the standard of government educational institutions already existed in the province, new educational institutions have also been set up, among them the establishment of Mardan Cadet College for Women is the first and unique institution of its kind in the province,” he told the 54th parent’s day ceremony at Cadet College Kohat.

Minister for Information Shaukat Yousafzai, Major General Asad Nawaz, Principal Cadet College Kohat Brigadier (r) Tufail Muhammad Khan, Members of the Board of Governors, cadets and their parents attended the event.

He said that the gap between rich and poor can only be bridged through promotion of quality education. “We are striving to integrate the educational system with the modern requirements as new educational trends and strategies are needed to address the challenges of modern era,” he added.

The chief minister said that he was pleased to see that due to the hard work of teachers and administration, Cadet College Kohat has become one of the best institutions in the country.

“From its inception till now, this exemplary institution has been providing excellent educational services not only for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but whole of Pakistan. The syllabus and co-curricular activities of the cadets, as well as the ethical training and character-building process that is set up in this faculty, are well-appreciated,” he added.

The chief minister expressed hope that the students graduating from the institute will ensure the safety of our geographical and ideological borders.