PESHAWAR -  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak announced dividing Chitral district into Upper Chitral and Lower Chitral districts.

The chief minister announced it in a public gathering in Chitral. He dismissed propaganda against the new districts, saying that his actions were in public interest. He said that the people overwhelmed by the charismatic leadership of Imran Khan had shown the door to the corrupt ruling elite.

None of the politicians, except Imran Khan, challenged the corrupt rulers, he said, adding that Khan had the audacity to raise voice for the poor, revamp public-sector institutions for efficient delivery and bring overall prosperity for the people. Khattak in his speech termed loot and plunder, corruption and nepotism as the root causes of all the wrongs and ills in the country. In view of the prevailing wrongs in the country, giving justice to the poor, reforming the institutions and thinking of prosperity would continue to be a “far cry” in the country, he added.

He said that the poor continued to be on the receiving end. The political forces deceived the people in the previous elections. The dacoits in the garb of politicians plundered national resources but that has become a history now as the people have started to distinguish between their friends and foes, he added.

He said that the PTI had emerged as the sole political force following its manifesto. He regretted that the corrupt political elite were now out to deceive the people with different slogans. Khattak appreciated Imran Khan for leading the people to challenge the corrupt elite. Our efforts are meant for good governance and corruption-free service delivery through a transparent system, he added. He asked the people to be aware of the looters and plunderers and never try them again.

His government, he added, had a one-point agenda to change the rusty system with the new system for efficient service delivery, adding that he made reforms to have an efficient system deliverable in consonance with the people’s aspirations. When he took over, the education system had collapsed. He ensured the presence of teachers and covered up the missing facilities. He introduced English as a medium of education right from primary so that the poor could compete with the rich for better future prospects, he added. Khattak said that KP was ruled by the now-defunct MMA but it did nothing for islamising the province. His government, he added, introduced Nazira-e-Quran along with translation in the schools.