A new gas supply line would be laid from Mardan-Charsadda to Peshawar at a cost of Rs 2.6 billion to resolve the issue of low gas pressure.

A statement issued here said that a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mahmood Khan was informed that work on this project would be started from November this year.

It was stated that work on the project to resolve the issue of low gas pressure in Rashakai was underway while work on provision of gas facility to Hattar economic zone was being carried out at a fast pace.

The meeting was told that billions of rupees development projects related to gas supply would be completed in the tenure of incumbent government.

On this occasion, the chief minister directed for timely completion of the ongoing projects and asked the authorities concerned for expediting work. He said that the provincial government would provide every possible support in this regard. He also underlined the need to take measures for providing gas facilities to northern areas and other districts of the province where the facility was not available to public.

Mr Khan said that by providing gas facilities to public the cutting of trees could be stopped in the province. He said that conservation of forests was their collective responsibility.

The chief minister said that the previous government of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf had planted 1.2 billion saplings, while one billion saplings would be planted during tenure of the incumbent government.

The meeting was told that progress was being made on previous decisions regarding gas supply projects in Kohat, Karak and Hangu.

Mr Khan said that for the development of southern areas of the province steps were being taken, including setting up of industries and dualisation of the Indus Highway.