Protest also held in Peshawar over stalled road project

Muhammad irshad ullah

PESHAWAR: A protest demonstration was held outside Peshawar Press Club against alleged corruption in the Torkhow road project.

The protesters were led by Pir Mukhtar Nabi, Chairman of Tehreek-e-Huqooq Chitral. The protesters demanded action against corruption and delays in the completion of the Booni-Buzund road project.

The 28-kilometer road has been under construction for the past 15 years, with a total cost of Rs1.2 billion. Despite the huge investment, only 10 kilometers portion of the road has been completed.

The protesters alleged that the provincial department of C&W and the contractor had been involved in corrupt practices, including embezzlement of funds and non-completion of work.

The contractor should complete the remaining work on the project before the onset of winter. The police should register a case against the contractor and the C&W department for breach of trust.

The provincial government should take action against the corrupt officials and contractors involved in the project.

The government should ensure that the project is completed within the stipulated time frame and budget.

The protesters gave an ultimatum to the provincial government to take action on their demands within three days, failing which they would march towards the Chief Minister’s House and stage a sit-in protest.

It may be mentioned here that the people of Torkhow have been protesting against the delay and corruption in the project. On November 17, they marched to Booni and staged a sit-in there.