Row over solar streetlights project intensifies

Talking to this correspondfent on phone, the MNA said that the MPAs or Jamaat-e-Islami had no role in the launching of the project which would be completed within a few months. He said that the 0.6 million population of Chitral was not confined to only the Chitral town or Booni bazaar rather they have many other issues. He said some people were feeling troubles in their stomach as they couldn’t get a chance to indulge in corrupt practices. The MNA said that promoting transparency and merit in all projects was his top priority and that was why he always discouraged corrupt elements irrespective of the fact whether they belonged to his own party. He also came down hard on MPA Sardar Hussain and said that he should be working for the resolution of public issues in his area rather than trying to take credit of projects initiated by others. He expressed regret that Sardar Hussain was also following the footsteps of his predecessor, Ghulam Muhammad, and was awarding contracts of projects worth Rs4 million and above each without tenders. Ban on entry announced On the other hand, the Tehreek Huqooq-e-Awam Mastuj here strongly criticized the MNA for stopping the solar streetlight project and called for a ban on his entry in Booni till the restoration of the project. The traders union here also criticized the MNA and said that the lawmaker was planning to terminate the project and distribute the Rs8 milllion among his supporters in upper Chitral. They said that if the MNA did not withdraw his decision, the traders would shut down the Booni bazaar for an indefinite period.]]>