DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday said that the fight against terrorism remained the top priority of the provincial government, followed by efforts to ensure the restoration of peace and bring prosperity to the province.
Talking to elders after chairing a meeting here, he said he had received briefings from various government departments on law and order, security arrangements, administrative matters and ongoing development projects.
Clarifying the status of 12 districts declared as being under an emergency, Kundi dismissed reports that they were beingmade a separate province or merged with the former tribal areas as rumours.
He said the districts had been identified because of being terrorism victims and that 70pc of the Rs160 billion federal development package announced by the prime minister would be spentinthese areas.
He said the foundation of the Daanish School System was being laid in the region, while further development initiatives would also be introduced.
The governor said the provincial government was allocating Rs40 billion for Bannu, Malakand and Dera Ismail Khan divisions to meet the requirements of the police department, including the construction and improvement of police stations, checkposts, DIG offices and DPO offices and others.He added that around 17,000 posts in the police department were vacant and the department’s staffing and infrastructure needs would be addressed.
About the Chashma Right Bank Canal breach, he said the authorities had been given a deadline of November 15 to 20 to restore water supply through the canal.
Explaining the delay, he said water could not be released in phases because the canal embankment was still weak.
Premature release of water could cause a breach and destroy the work already completed, he added.
The governor said the farmers would have to wait another 15 to 20 days for the water supply to be restored through a proper and safe system.
He announced that tendersfor Phase-I of the Chashma Lift Canal project would be opened on Nov 11 and 12, while the tendering process for Phase-IV would begin on Dec 1.
He also announced that a cadet college was being established in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the children of police and security personnel who had laid down their lives in the fight against terrorism.
Kundi said the government was also working to resolve issues facing universities and other educational institutions, stressing that hospitals and universities would be run by professionals rather than politicians or student unions.
‘We want to strengthen institutions rather than individuals,’ he said, adding that constructive suggestions from local representatives and community elders wouldbe welcomed and implemented.
He said anti-encroachment and cleanliness drives were also underway across the province and would continue without political victimisation or discrimination.
Thegovernorurgedlocalpeople to offer practical suggestions for improving peace, development and prosperity in the province.
Dera Division Commissioner Dawood Khan, the regional police officer, the deputy commissioner, the district police officer, assistant commissioners and heads of various government departments attended the meeting.
MPA Ehsanullah Miankhel, Haleem Qasuria, Qaizar Khan Miankhel and PPP district president Malik Farhan Dhap were also present on the occasion.