Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Friday laid the foundation for construction of Thahkot-Dasu Road and vowed to continue development work for the masses despite opposition.
The road will be 63 kilometres long and would cost Rs 2 billion.
Addressing a gathering after the foundation stone-laying ceremony, the prime minister raised the Hard Area allowance for Kohistan to 40 percent, as was the practice in other areas.
He also directed the WAPDA chairman to immediately fulfil the promises made to the local people and warned of swift action in case of non-compliance.
The PM directed for repair of schools by the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency (ERRA) and promised increase in quota of the area in medical and engineering colleges.
Ashraf was earlier briefed about the Thahkot-Dasu Road project that would be completed in 30 months and provide an easy access to the 4,320MW Dasu Power Project besides serving as an alternative route to Karakoram Highway.
The prime minister strongly dismissed criticism against the development projects of the government. “We will not stop serving the masses or stop development work as it benefits them.”
The prime minister also rejected the criticism against the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and said it was a service for the poorest of the poor and would not be allowed to end. He said the people of Pakistan would continue to support this programme through the power of the ballot.
Ashraf said BISP would continue and would be further expanded.
Addressing critics, he said the government would raise the disbursement amount to Rs 5,000 and even Rs 10,000.
The prime minister added that the government did not have time to indulge in mud slinging or to counter the propaganda of the critics, as it was busy in initiating developmental projects for the masses.
“There is no need to teach us what democracy is and how to serve the masses,” he said.
“We are not among those who run away, we will stand up and fight the critics and prove that the people of Pakistan see the PPP as a sign of hope that will not shy from any sacrifice to serve them.”
He said it was his desire to meet the people of Kohistan who were ardent supporters of Pakistan People’s Party. He said he too was an ordinary worker of the PPP and believed in the vision of the martyred leaders – Zufikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto.
