MANSEHRA, Nov 6: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has been working to address problems being faced by people of Balakot, said MPA Maleeha Tanveer while talking to a delegation of people from Balakot here on Tuesday.

`The Pakistan Tehreek-iInsaf-led government is aware of the hardships being faced by the 2005 earthquake-hit people of Balakot and it is taking steps to resolve their problems,` she claimed. Balakot tehsil PTI president Waris Khan led the delegation.

Ms Maleeha, who is also chairman of the district development advisory committee of Mansehra, said that the government had approved Rs15 million for construction of Hassa suspension bridge to link population on both sides of Kunhar River in Balakot.

Traffic could not be restored so far after the existing bridge development serious cracks eight years ago.

Speaking on the occasion, Waris Khan said that work on new Balakot city housing project where over 5,000 families of Balakot would be settled was still in doldrums after inauguration of work in 2007.

MUHARRAM SECURITY: Contingents of police backed by other law-enforcement agencies would be deployed during Muharram in and around Imambargahs in city and other parts of the district.

Assistant commissioner Qasim Ali Khan said this at a meeting he chaired here the other day. The heads and representatives of health, police, municipal committee, district committee and other relevant departments attended the meeting.

The AC said that a control room had been established at the deputy commissioner`s office while Section 144 imposed to ensure safety of citizens during Muharram.

He made it clear that those instigating people on sectarian grounds would face strict legal action. He said that special passes would be issued to the essential staff facilitating people during Muharram.