Peshawar - Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan on Tuesday paid a day-long visit to Lower Chitral district and inaugurated multiple development projects for the uplift of the district. He also addressed a public gathering in Chitral Town. 

The Chief Minister launched Chitral Economic Zone, which is expected to create 8000 direct and indirect job opportunities while an investment of Rs620 million is also expected in the economic zone. During the visit, the Chief Minister inaugurated Singur Bridge which has been constructed at a total cost of Rs700 million. Danin bypass road and Ayun Kalash Valley bridge have been constructed at a cost of Rs50 million and Rs82 million respectively.  

Mahmood Khan also inaugurated rescue station and BS Block at Degree College Chitral Lower which were established with Rs64 million and Rs89 million respectively. The Chief Minister performed the ground-breaking of several projects which includes Kalkatak-Chitral Road, Broze bridge and 8km long Karim Abad Road. 

These projects would be completed at a total cost of Rs290 million, Rs50 million and Rs100 million respectively.  

The Chief Minister also performed the ground-breaking of 46km long Kalash Valley Road which would be constructed at a total cost of Rs4.2 billion. He also launched beautification of Lower Chitral project worth Rs280 million. 

Addressing a public gathering at Chitral Town, Mahmood Khan announced several new projects for the uplift of Chitral district. He announced to give permanent status to employees hired under settlement of land project in Chitral district. He also increased fire wood allowance for government employees from Rs45 to Rs100 per day besides establishment of media colony for journalists, upgradation of Women and Children Hospital, establishment of Women Resource Centre and construction of Darosh bypass. 

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that a scheme to establish a sports complex in Lower Chitral was reflected in the current Annual Development Programme.  Establishment of colleges in Darosh and Garam Chashma had been included in the development programme and Rs1.28 billion were earmarked in the current budget for Chitral University. 

He said that work on projects worth Rs33 billion was underway in the district which on completion would bring about a positive change in the district. Physical work on Chitral-Boni-Mastuj Road would be started soon. He said that the provincial government was working on several projects of highways and economic zones in the province which would make the province a hub of trade and industrial activities in next four to five years. 

He said that the establishment of Chitral Economic Zone would usher in a new era of development in the region and create employment opportunities. The Chief Minister said that the government was fully aware of the difficulties faced by the people due to inflation and concrete steps were being taken to reduce this inflation and provide maximum relief to the poor and middle class of society.   

The government was working on education card scheme for students from poor and middle class families which will be launched soon. Kissan Card had been launched for the financial assistance of the farmers besides a mega project like Health Card Plus had been launched to provide quality and free of cost medical facilities to every citizen of the province.