By Fazal Amin Shinwari
LANDI KOTAL: The chairman and vice-chairman of the Area Representative and Development Council (ARDC) on Thursday visited Landi Kotal for the first time in an official capacity and held a jirga with local elders and government officials to discuss administrative, security and development-related challenges facing District Khyber.
ARDC Chairman Engineer Shaukatullah Khan and Vice-Chairman Malik Khan Marjan Wazir were accompanied by the council’s Khyber members, including Malik Salahuddin Koki Khel, Malik Abdul Razzaq Zakhakhel, Haji Sherin Afridi Sapah, Maulana Izzatullah Hamkhayal and Malik Zahir Shah Akakhel.
Deputy Commissioner Khyber Shahid Ali Khan, District Police Officer Waqar Ahmad and Assistant Commissioner Landi Kotal Inamullah Wazir, along with other officials, also attended the jirga.
During the meeting, tribal elders and local representatives drew the attention of the ARDC leadership to a range of issues confronting the area, including administrative difficulties, law and order, security concerns and a lack of adequate development facilities.
The participants called for effective measures to address longstanding public grievances and improve the delivery of essential services in the region.
The ARDC chairman and vice-chairman assured the gathering that the issues raised by local representatives would be taken up with the relevant higher authorities and that efforts would be made to secure their resolution on a priority basis.
They said the council would work in coordination with the government to address the longstanding problems of residents of the merged districts, create employment opportunities for young people and promote development initiatives aimed at improving living standards.
The ARDC leadership reiterated its commitment to ensuring that public concerns were brought to the attention of the relevant authorities and translated into practical measures for the area’s development.
