MPA seeks more uplift funds for Mastuj area

MPA seeks more funds for Mastuj area
PESHAWAR: Member of the NWFP Assembly from Chitral Ghulam Mohammad on Tuesday urged the provincial government to initiate uplift schemes in his underdeveloped constituency to bring it at a par with developed areas of the country.
“The people of Chitral expect the provincial government will launch massive uplift schemes in the area which is far behind in communication, health and education sectors,” the MPA elected on Pakistan Muslim League- Q ticket from PF-90 Chitral-11 said.
The MPA said the constituency from where he was elected to the NWFP Assembly spread over 8,500 square kilometers and the people were facing tremendous problems due to dilapidated conditions of roads.
“Only 52-kilometer road is metalled in the areas spreading over 8,500 square kilometers,” the MPA said. Likewise, lack of teaching staff in the existing government schools and medical staff in the health centers was also a big issue of the area, where the students and patients have to cover a long distance to reach their schools and hospital. He said there were school buildings but no teachers while the existing basic health units (BHUs), rural health centers (RHCs) and other hospitals in the district sans required staff. “There are only two doctors working in the 34-bedded Booni Hospital against the 11 sanctioned post of medical officers,” the legislator said.

NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has pledged to allocate extra fund for his constituency to improve communication system, he said despite in opposition I had supported the provincial government in passing the annual budget.

Ghulam Mohammad, who had been in active politics since 1986, said Chitral, is the most peaceful district of the province that had great potential of tourism and hydel power generation.

“If small dams and power generation houses are built in Yarkhun, Terich and Laspur valleys, Pakistan will be in a position to export electricity to the neighbouring countries,” the MPA claimed.

Ghulam Muhammad said the construction of Lowari Tunnel would not only permanently link Chitral with rest of the country but also help boost the economy of the district and province as well.

The MPA demanded of the government to metal the road from Mastuj to Lasht to further promote tourism in the area. “The development of roads in the area is crucial due to security reason in the fast changing geo-strategic situation,” the MPA added.