CHITRAL: Adviser to the caretaker chief minister on planning, mineral development and energy Dr Sarfaraz Ali Khan has said the government is committed to developing Chitral on a par with other develop districtsofthe provincekeepingin view its fabulous natural resources and geostrategic importance.

Addressing an open kutchery here the other day, he said that the interim government was committed to the speedy development of the province. He said the caretaker set-up had no political agenda other than putting the matters on the right track for the forthcoming elected government in all sectors of development and administration.

He said hydropower generation and minerals were the two sectors, which had the potential to make the province economi-cally viable, and Chitral was rich in both, thus making it entitled to a great share in the development budget.

Dr Ali said all the reservations of the local people regarding the grant of lease for tapping mines and minerals by the mineral development department would be addressed.

The CM`s aide announced to start granting licences to the applicants from Chitral soon after a hiatus of many years.

He also promised approaching the relevant quarters in the federal government to approve the lowest possible subsidised tariff of electricity for the consumers of Upper Chitral.

Earlier, former MNA from Chitral Shahzada Iftikharuddin, former district nazim Maghfirat Shah, president of district mine owners` association Liaquat Ali Khan and others informed the CM`s adviser about the issues faced by the people of Chitral in getting lease for minerals` exploitation.