MINGORA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday criticised Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf(PTI)chairmanImran Khan and claimed that the PTI-led provincial government had failed to bring about any change in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He was addressing a public gathering in Mingora after inaugurating the Nawaz Sharif Kidney Hospital.

The prime minister said that during his visit to Swat he did not notice any change in the district. `Everything is the same as it was in the past. I can only see broken roads and buildings of public schools and hospitals in dilapidated condition.` The PTI had failed to fulfil its promise of making a new Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he added.

`I am sure the people of Swat regret their decision of voting for the PTI in the last election,` he said.

Mr Sharif claimed that the PML-N government was working to bring about a real change in the country. It was spreading a network of roads and motorways and launching a number of development projects, he added.

He said the PTI was doing nothing except staging protests and sit-ins,adding that the PTI-led provincial government should learn from the Punjab and Balochistan governments.

He congratulated Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for constructing a hospital of international standards in Swat.

Announcing several projects for the Malakand division, the prime minister said he had already directed the National Highway Authority to start work on the 133-kilometre expressway from Chal
`After its connection with the economic corridor, the region will witness unlimited financial benefits,` he added.

The prime minister announced opening of the Saidu Sharif airport and said that it would not only operate domestic flights, but also flights to Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

Among other projects the prime minister announced included establishment of a women university and technical training institute in Swat, a campus of the university in Shangla and construction of 132KV electricity grid stations in Matta and Kabal tehsils.He approved an AstroTurf for the hockey stadium in Mingora and a grant of Rs200 million for the district councils of Swat and Shangla.

Mr Sharif said he loved Swat and wanted to see the district developed and prosperous. `I will visit Swat before the next elections to meet Swatis,` he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Adviser to the PM Amir Muqam criticised the PTI-led provincial government and claimed that it had completely failed in solving people`s problems. He termed the PTI chief a fake Khan and claimed that Imran Khan could not speak Pashto.

After inaugurating the hospital, the prime minister was shown around different sections of the facility. He approved a different electricity line for the hospital. He also met patients and approved a monthly stipend of Rs15,000 for a poor woman.

The 110-bed hospital was completed in December, 2014, at a cost of Rs800 million. It is reportedly the largest kidney hospital in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Constructed by the Punjab Hospitals Trust, the hospital is a gift for the people of Swat that was announced by Mr Sharif on Nov 12, 2012.