Local Govt, NGO, Cooperation displayed

CHITRAL,21 Dec 06: Policy Dialogue and Partnership meeting was  held here under the chair of District Naib Nazim Sultan Shah. Actg RPM Aga Khan Rural support Program (AKRSP) Sherzad participated on behalf of NGO. Addressing the ceremony Tehsil Nazim Sartaj Ahmad Khan said that AKRSP funded TMA for office furnishing. They will also help municipal library under an agreement of public private partnership. We took initiative and contacted non government organizations and this is third dialogue with AKRSP in this regard. He said we want to establish a digital library where research scholars are facilitated. He said that this is first exercise of district government with a non government organization and joint venture to upgrade our public library. He said that there is suitable atmosphere for donors at Chitral.

Actg RPM AKRSP said that we work for development of the district with collaboration of district government in different sectors. Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is  supporting us institutionally in different components. We work for women development and will establish an office for them at Tehsil Municipal Administration office because there is no separate office for lady councilors. This is policy dialogue on partnership with TMA who will provide us land and we will furnish office for women councilors. He said that AKRSP also funding public library to enabling it to meet the recent challenges of IT. He said that AKRSP was working isolated in past but now it changed its policy and is working in joint venture with government institutions. We want to boost information technology at Chitral. He said the public library would be well furnished and sophisticated with 5 computers, printer and internet facilities. Donation would be Rs150000 while TMA share is 50,000. Similarly we will donate 234000 for opening an office for women councilors.  Farid Ahmad handed over cheque of first installment to the TMO for the purpose.

District Naib Nazim Sultan Shah hailed AKRSP services for Chitral district. He said that AKRSP spend billions of rupees in Chitral in different uplift schemes but not visible  to the  public due to not publicizing same. He said a nation can never develop until they adopt latest information technology. He said that it is impossible for district government to over come all problems and requirement of the masses without involving of NGOs. He said that AKDN has purchased a piece of land for Professional Development centre at Chitral and a building will be constructed there very soon.

Meanwhile Tehsil Nazim also inaugurated a scheme of potable drinking water at Singor village benefiting some 80 house holds. Dr. Fida Azizud Din MS of DHQ Hospital welcomed and thanked TMA for giving water supply connection especially to girls middle school at Singore. Gul Nawaz Khaki demanded for extending ofpipelines to other areas which were deprived of drinking water. He also demanded for supply of electricity to Singore area from the local hydro station regularly. Muhammad Riaz Nazim UC II Chitral also spoke on the occasion and assured the public of his full support. Tehsil Nazim announced 5% free connection to poor people. District Naib Nazim and other public representatives also expressed their views on the occasion. The scheme was completed with a cost of 300000 by MPA fund 8000 feet pipeline. (GH Farooqi)

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