PESHAWAR - Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak while lauding the role of lawyers’ community in the restoration of democracy has asked them to continue their struggle for ensuring rule of law in the country and help the provincial government in providing justice to the people and reformation of the system.

He was addressing a joint session of Swat District Bar Association and High Court bar Mingora bench (Darul Qaza) at Mingora, Swat. Provincial Minister Mahmood Khan,  Special Assistant Dr Amjad Ali, Parliamentary Secretary Dr Haider Ali Khan, elected representatives and lawyers attended the ceremony.

President District Bar Association, Hazrat Maaz Advocate, Iftikhar Ahmad, President High Court Mingora Bench Bar Association, Ziauddin, Ex president, high Court Mingora Bench and Syed Abdul Haq, General Secretary, High Court of Mingora  bench  also spoke. The CM administered oath to the newly-elected cabinet of the high court Bench (Darul Qaza)on the occasion.

The CM lauded the contribution of lawyers in opposing the black PATA Laws and reformation of Nizam-e-Adle regulations in the division. Elaborating provincial government’s efforts regarding legislation, he informed that over 100 laws were already made while about 50 were under consideration for bringing a change in the system to ensure justice to the people in the province.

The chief minister said that PELDAT report had termed performance of the provincial government in the context of legal reforms as better than other provinces. He told that reform measures had been taken in all areas, including health, education, police system and revenue which he added were yielding positive results.

He hoped the expressway project would open venues of progress and prosperity for the whole of Malakand division and would have positive impacts on tourism sector of the area. The project, he remarked was an effort to link the area to the China Economic Corridor project.

He said that Rs4 billion had been released for the land acquisition for the project while tender had also been advertised in this regard.

He informed that in case, the federal government would not include Kalam Chakdara Road in the next ADP, the provincial government would provide funds for Chakdara to Mingora portion of the road. “Planning is underway for the establishment of industrial park in Chakdara to establish industries there to exploit mineral and agriculture potential of the area to overcome unemployment. He explained that the project was being designed to take benefit for CEPC in the best manner.

He said that the provincial government had strongly opposed imposition of income taxes in the division.

The CM assured all out help in reformation of Nizam-e-Adl regulations. Similarly he assured efforts for provision of Judges to the High court Mingra bench to strengthen it. He informed that reconstruction plan of buildings of prison of Swat was reflected in ADP while tender had also been floated for its erection. He told the participants that plan for provision of funds for all Bar councils of the province on permanent bases had been included in the next ADP.

He announced Rs5 million for Swat District Bar Association and High Court Mingora Beanch (Darul Qaza) each. He also declared allocation of Rs30 million for Darul Qaza and Rs40 million for District Bar Swat in the next annual development programme. The CM also ordered for the preparation of PC-1 for the improvements of Swat District Bar. Similarly, he also announced grant of Rs 10laks for each Tehsil bar of the district.