TIMERGARA: The newly installed provincial minister for finance and development Muzafar Syed advocate on Saturday said that development projects would be launched through consultation with coalition partners and opposition lawmakers.

Addressing a welcome party hosted in his honour by Anjuman Tajaran Talash on his arrival to the area, Mr Syed said that he was representing all the people of the province.

Earlier, he was warmly received by the traders` community and workers of Jamaat-i-Islami at Chakdara and was brought to his native town, Talash, in a big vehicular procession.

The traders` body president Fazal Qadir presented a charter of demands to the minister.

Mr Syed said that he would meet the former provincial finance minister for seeking his expertise in running the ministry efficiently. He said that he would utilise all the available resources of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government with utmost honesty and justice.

Mr Syed announced that funds would be allocated for construction of a bypass and linl< roads in Dir to improve means of communication between farms and markets. He said that he was aware of the problems facing the people of Lower and Upper Dir and would try his best to resolve them.

The minister asked senior politicians like Ahmad Hassan Khan of PPP, Qazi Abdul Salam of JUI-F and local elders to assist him in fulfilling his new responsibilities. Mr Syed said that a delegation comprising representatives of all political parties led by him would soon meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to get funds approved for supply of gas and electrification of villages in Lower Dir.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT CENTRE: The local chapter of Al-Khidmat Foundation has set up disaster management centre in the district.

A function in this regard was held at the Timergara Rest House on Saturday. Foundation`s provincial president Noorul Haq, deputy commissioner Sohail Khan, JI provincial vice chief Maulana Asad Ullah, district emir Izazul Mulk Afkari and elders attended the gathering.

Speaking on the occasion, foundation`s district president Fazal Mabood said that the disaster management cell would be extended to villages to train volunteers to deal with situations arising out of natural disasters.

Noorul Haq said that Al-Khidmat Foundation was serving people without any political or religious discrimination.

He also announced to provide four more ambulances to the district hospitals.

He handed over keys of two ambulances provided to Samarbagh and Timergara hospitals.