Join hands for country’s progress: PM

TORGHAR: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said it was “high-time” for the nation and the state institutions to join hands for the country’s progress.

The premier is on a visit to Khyber Pakhtunkwa, during which he laid a foundation-stone for three development projects: Torghar Bunir Highway, the Bunir-Karakar Link Tunnel, and Torghar-Bunir RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) bridge.

Addressing the local elders in Torghar, the PM said that the three infrastructure projects worth Rs18 billion will greatly facilitate the locals.

He directed the completion period of the RCC bridge project to be one year, instead of the stipulated time-frame of three years. Without the bridge, locals have no choice but to travel a distance of 250 kilometres, and the construction of this bridge will reduce the distance to only one kilometre, the PM said.

PM Shehbaz said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was “blessed with natural resources”, but that there was a need for exploring avenues of development.

He regretted the apathy of political leaders in the past, who neglected the area and did not make efforts to mainstream it in the journey of national development. He emphasized giving opportunities to the locals to help them prosper in educational and professional fields.

The PM also announced the establishment of a Danish school in the area, an educational facility project earlier launched by him in Punjab for children from underprivileged families. Two colleges in the area will also be set up.

According to the Associated Press of Pakistan, Pakistan Muslim League leader retired Captain Muhammad Safdar said that the underdeveloped area of Torghar, formerly known as Kala Dhaka, was in dire need of development and infrastructure.

He believed the prime minister’s visit to Torghar was “a good omen for the people of the area”.

Meanwhile, the PM’s adviser Amir Muqam said the bridge will connect the Hazara and Malakand divisions and facilitate the locals.

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, adviser Ahad Cheema and local government officials were also present during the visit.