Authority set up for development of urban areas.

PESHAWAR -- The local government department has set up Urban Areas Development Authority as part of its reform agenda.

Calling the establishment of Urban Areas Development Authority (UDA) a milestone, Special Assistant to Chief Minister for Local Government, Elections and Rural Development Kamran Bangash said that PTI fulfilled another promise of change, according to a statement issued here.

He said that work on development authorities was slow during the last 18 years. He added that in the light of special instructions of Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, work on UDA was intensified.

Mr Bangash said that the focus of local government department was on legislation. He said that first priority of the provincial government was to provide services to the people in the best possible way.

Talking about the importance and necessity of UDA, he said that it was set up to improve the performance of the local government department.

Keeping in view public interest, the UDA was established through an ordinance that would make the existing nine development authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa more functional.

Because of the present Urban Development Board, the performance of Mardan, Swabi, Bannu, Karak, Kohat, Galyat, Swat and Peshawar development authorities was paralysed.

'Not only through words but also with legislation, we are empowering the development authorities. This will enable the development authorities to take steps for the welfare of the employees besides revenue generation and...