Premier pledges better facilities in remote areas

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday said the government had initiated various development projects and was especially focusing on improving different facilities in far-flung areas to raise the living standards of people. Talking to a delegation of Nazims, naib Nazims and Union Council Nazims led by MNA Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali here at the Prime Minister House, he said the government believed in all- round development of the country.
He specially mentioned Lowari Tunnel project in Chitral that was pending for the last 28 years. The work on an estimated Rs.9.5 billion project was already underway,which after completion will solve the problems of travelling in the area where routes get blocked by heavy snowfall in winter.
Prime Minister Aziz said construction of Lowari Tunnel was a major issue pending for the last many years and had been resolved only after an intervention by President General Pervez Musharraf. Similarly, he said, PIA was phasing out its old fleet of fokkers and replacing it with new French-made ATR aircraft to fly on Chitral, Gilgit, Turbat and other routes. Induction of new aircraft will give boost to tourism in Chitral district which has vast potential to attract visitors from all over the world, he added.
The first ATR turbo jet would be inducted in March, next year. Prime Minister reaffirmed strong resolve of the government to improve the lot of common man and referred to the Khushal Pakistan programme that include water, electricity, gas and road projects. He particularly referred to efforts in health and education sectors and said the federal government was working with the provincial governments to improve existing facilities. Prime Minister Aziz said the government was committed to promote and work for national interests and would never take a decision that was not in the country’s interest. He praised the largely peace-loving and moderate people of Chitral and assured all support of the government in development work in Chitral district. Prime Minister Aziz emphasised the need of tapping the potential in mining, tourism and micro-hydel for the development of Chitral district.
Maulana Abdul Akbar Chistrali thanked President Musharraf and Prime Minister Aziz for initiating work on Lowari Tunnel which was the long-standing demand of the people. He also welcomed induction of new aircraft in northern area routes and said it would help promote tourism there. District Nazim Chitral, Maghfarat Khan apprised the Prime Minister of the problems of his district to which he promised to look into. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Muhammad Ali Duranni was also present in the meeting.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday said the Government is committed to provide safe drinking water and electricity to all by the year 2007. Talking to a number of parliamentarians who called on him in his chamber here at the Parliament House, he said, the two programmes are among the top priorities of the government and being constantly monitored by him for their timely completion.
The Prime Minister said water born diseases are one of the major hazards for public health. He said the government will spend Rs. 8 billion to install water purification plants all across the country. He asked the MNAs to coordinate with provincial and local body representatives and personally supervise and expedite the implementation of the projects. The Prime Minister discussed with the elected representatives the development programmes of their constituencies and got their feedback on various projects.—APP