KP CM wants work on uplift projects in Swat expedited

Orders construction of prison; rehabilitation of Jehanzeb College building

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak on Tuesday directed the relevant departments to rehabilitate the earthquake-hit building of historic Jehanzeb College and construct a new prison in Swat besides accelerating the pace of work on the under construction hospital there.

He issued the directives while meeting a representative delegation from Swat district here, said a handout. The chief secretary, additional chief secretary, secretary higher education, chief engineer Construction and Works Department and officials of Archaeology Department were also present.

Responding to the demands made by Dr Haider Ali, the chief minister clarified that the Jehanzeb College was built in 1952, so it cannot be declared as national heritage under the law as it has not yet completed 100 years of construction. He directed the C & W department to prepare design of the building according to existing architecture. The chief minister also ordered to initiate construction of Swat University Campus in order to shift the university from the rental building to its own campus.

He also sought progress on implementation of his announcements and decisions for construction of different roads in Swat and directed the relevant authorities to prepare PC-1 of roads in Kalam and Mahudhand. The chief minister informed the delegation that funds for improvement of all roads of Swat city and Murghazar road had already been released and work on these roads was underway.  He also directed the Forest Department to carry out massive tree plantation alongside the River Swat under the Billion Trees Tsunami Project.