ABBOTTABAD, Oct 13: Provincial Minister for Health Shaukat Ali Yousafzai has said the government has set priorities to solve the longstanding problems of the people and eradicate corruption from the government departments.The minister said reforms were being introduced in health, education and other departments, adding the draft information, accountability and local bodies bills were aimed at empowering the masses at grass roots level and including them in decision making process.

Speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of office-bearers of the Abbottabad Press Club here on Sunday, he said the PTI-led ruling coalition in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was fully aware of the problems of the people. He said people would see real change in coming days as the provincial government had taken some bold steps aimed at good governance. `The mess of 60 years cannot be cleared in a couple of months,` he added.

The health minister expressed sympathy with local journalist, Sardar Shafiq who was attacked by unknown persons two days ago. He said the culprits would be brought to book soon.

He also announced Rs500,000 for the press club, and assured the journalists of early approval of PC-I for the media colony at Abbottabad.

Later, Shaukat Yousfazi also attended the annual parents day function at the Pine Hills School and College, Abbottabad, and gave away prizes and shields to students.