Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Sunday said that a number of development initiatives were being taken for the socio-economic development of Paharpur Tehsil. He expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of traders and notables from Paharpur Tehsil. The delegation included the Chairman of the Paharpur Traders’ Association, Noman Niazi, Haji Muhammad Iqbal, Haji Bagh Ali, Chaudhry Nazir Ahmed, and prominent political and social figure Junaid Tariq Qureshi, who briefed the governor on issues being faced by the area. He said that the results of the ongoing upgradation project of the Paharpur Grid Station will soon be visible, contributing significantly to the area’s development. Moreover, he added that an interchange would be established at Paharpur-Paniala under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which will not only provide convenience to the local population but also serve as a milestone for the region’s economic development. Similarly, he he said that a passport counter would be set up at the NADRA office in Paharpur and residents would not have to travel to Dera Ismail Khan for passport-related services. The governor also said that effective measures were being taken to equip the area’s youth with quality education and enable them to pursue higher studies in their own region. As part of it, efforts were underway to establish a campus of Gomal University in Paharpur and the Higher Education Commission would be contacted in this regard. The governor also informed that a breakthrough had been achieved about Kloorkot- Karri Khaisor Road and the Chashma Right Bank Canal project. He said those initiatives would benefit the local population, no opportunists and elements with vested interest would be allowed to obstruct the progress of the area. Meanwhile, the governor also paid a visit to the house of late PPP worker Muhammad Akhthar at Paharpur and sympathized with the bereaved family members. He offered fateha for the departed soul and prayed for patience to the bereaved family. Similarly, he also attended the funeral prayer of former Nazim Ayub Khan Marwat’s brother Haji Painda Khan (late). Later, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi attended the marriage ceremony-Walima of PPP worker Ilyas Gandapur’s nephew and extended congratulations. Gas expansion projects Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Sunday inaugurated the gas expansion and low-pressure elimination projects in Dera Ismail Khan. Addressing the ceremony held in this regard, the governor said all out efforts would be made to reduce gas load shedding and low-pressure issues in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to facilitate and extend relief to the people of the province. He lamented that the province produced gas but faced the highest level of gas load shedding. He directed the officials of the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) officials to ensure minimal gas load shedding during the winter season. He said that to prevent low pressure and load shedding in Dera Ismail Khan, five new TBS (Town Border Stations) were being installed, and the existing TBS would also be upgraded to ensure that residents face no difficulties during the winter. Governor Faisal Karim Kundi that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government had initiated several major projects for the development of Dera Ismail Khan, including the Dera Ismail Khan International Airport, the CPEC interchange, and the four-lane road from Dera Ismail to Dera Ghazi Khan and onward Kasmor, Sindh. He added that with the completion of those projects, the region would progress on all fronts besides providing job opportunities to people of the area. He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Pakistan, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Development Bank for providing funds for these projects. He said that filtration plants would be established in Dera Ismail Khan, and that they would work through the Red Crescent to bring in more funds from international donors to meet the needs of the people. He said a facilitation desk of the Passport office would be established in the NADRA office in Paharpur. He called on the provincial government to collaborate rather than hinder the development of Dera Ismail Khan, so that joint efforts can be made for the welfare and prosperity of the people. The ceremony was also addressed by PPP Divisional President Sardar Qaisar Khan Miankhail, District President Malik Farhan Afzal Dhup, AzizUllah Alizai and attended by other local leaders of PPP besides party workers in large numbers. The speakers spoke in support of the Governor’s development initiatives in the area.