Gul Mohammad Mohmand

GHALLANAI: The Education Department in Mohmand tribal district has released Rs157.28 million for facilities in schools in the district.

District Education Officer (DEO) Jadi Khan Khalil said that out of the total allocated amount, Rs52.4 million will be spent on providing clean drinking water facility in 262 schools, while boundary walls of 82 schools will be constructed with Rs98.4 million funds.

Similarly, sports equipment will be purchased for 54 schools with Rs6.48 million funds. The DEO said the whole amount will be spent through parents-teachers councils (PTCs). He said as many as 537 PTCs have already been set up in Mohmand district.

Jadi Khan said the Education Department had previously issued Rs55.8 million to PTCs which will be spent on repair of 100 classrooms which will cost Rs10 million. He said group latrines will be constructed in 264 schools, while Rs6.48 million will be spent on purchasing sports equipment for 54 schools. He said tens of millions of rupees will also be spent on purchase of furniture, mats, schoolbags, establishment of Informational Technology laboratories and solarisation of schools.

The DEO said the whole fund will be spent on Mohmand schools under the Accelerated Implementation Program (AIP). He said provision of basic facilities in the schools will be ensured under the program.

High-rise buildings in Peshawar

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved amendments to the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) law for establishment of high-rise buildings in Peshawar.

With this amendment, the investors and businessmen will get permission to set up high-rise buildings in the metropolis. Under the existing PDA laws, there is no permission to build more than 10-storey buildings in Peshawar.

Chief Minister Mehmood Khan said this step will attract investment in Peshawar and help in saving agricultural lands. The approval was given in a meeting of the PDA board chaired by the chief minister.

The meeting was told that the Peshawar Model Housing Scheme will be on 106,000 kanals land. Fifty percent plots of the scheme will be allotted to government employees and the rest will be allotted to other people. The meeting also approved funds for Warsak-Nasir Bagh Road and shifting of PDA office from Hayatabad to Regi Model Town.