CM announces establishment of Kalam Development Authority

KALAM: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has announced the establishment of the Kalam Development Authority, which will develop communication, tourism, sports and environment infrastructure in Kalam.
An official handout said he was addressing the concluding ceremony of the Swat Tourism and Trade Festival at Shahi Ground in Kalam on Sunday.
General Officer Commanding, Malakand Army Division, Maj-Gen Nadir Khan, Advisor to Chief Minister on Sports and Tourism Amjad Afridi, Chairman DEDAC Swat, Fazal Hakim, MNA Salimur Rehman, civil and military officers attended the event.
Paying rich tributes to the people of Swat and security forces for bringing peace to the area, the chief minister said the terrorists had been defeated and a new era of peace, progress and prosperity started due to the sacrifices of brave people of Swat, police and security forces.
Pervez Khattak said that the entire nation was grateful to the heroes, who sacrificed their lives for the future of the country and the nation during the ongoing war on terror.
He said that the participation of a large number of people from every nook and corner of the country in Swat Festival showed that peace and tranquility had been restored in Swat.
He added the participation of a large number of people was the sign of honour and respect for the civil and military forces.
Terming the Swat Festival a source for promoting harmony and brotherhood among the people of the country, Pervez Khattak said that it was a matter of pride that the whole nation was on the same page about combating terrorism and other evils.
The chief minister announced that Kalam Festival would be made a permanent annual feature of the province. Showing concern over the dilapidated condition of roads in Kalam, he announced the establishment of the Kalam Development Authority on urgent basis.
He said the Kalam Development Authority would be set up on the lines of Galiyat Development Authority. He said the proposed body would be responsible for infrastructure development particularly communication, tourism, environment and sports sectors.
The chief minister also announced construction of Kalam-Mahodand metalled road on priority basis and said that the local people and tourists would witness visible progress in the improvement of the communication infrastructure as well as other facilities in Kalam by next year.
He disclosed that some projects had already been approved for Kalam. He also announced improvement of Shahi Ground Kalam before the next festival.
Expressing concern over delay in construction of Kalam-Mingora road, the chief minister said that he had held several meetings with the National Highway Authority for early completion of the project.