CHITRAL: Civil society and political leaders have strongly condemned the arrest of over 50 people under serious criminal charges following their peaceful protest against alleged corruption in the Booni-Buzund road project.
Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, former MPA Syed Ahmad Khan, Advocate Syed Burhan Shah, Liaquat Ali, Advocate Mir Dullah Jan, Sifat Zareen, Maulana Hussain Ahmad, Naeem Anjum, Mohammad Wazir Khan, Shabbir Ahmad Khan, Nisbatullah, Din Mohammad Nadeem, Hussain Zareen Charwelo, Mohammad Afzal Khan, Inayatullah Aseer and others demanded the immediate withdrawal of cases and release of the detained leaders.
They warned that failure to do so would make the provincial government fully responsible for any worsening law and order situation in the region.
The speakers emphasized that the residents of Torkhow and Terich were exercising their democratic right to protest against the alleged misuse of public funds in the Booni-Buzund road project. They accused the Communication and Works (C&W) Department’s Executive Engineer (XEN) of releasing an advance payment of Rs120 million to the contractor without any work being initiated.
Rather than taking action against the contractor and C&W officials involved, the district administration and elected representatives, including the MPA and MNA, chose to retaliate by targeting TTRF leaders with harsh legal charges, they claimed.
“The arrests reflect the failure and incompetence of the elected leadership and the provincial government,” the speakers asserted.
“This movement against corruption cannot be suppressed through intimidation and arrests. It will continue until justice is served.”
They declared that if the arrested TTRF members are not released immediately, residents of Torkhow, Terich and adjoining areas will launch a region-wide road blockade and will not accept Section 144 imposed by the district administration.
Chitral Development Movement (CDM) and local representatives from Lotkoh and Kosht also expressed full support for the movement during the press conference.
The elders also thanked former Senator Talha Mahmood for showing solidarity with the people of Torkhow and Terich during this critical time.
The speakers issued a final warning to the provincial government, stating that if construction on the Booni-Buzund road does not begin immediately after Eidul Azha as promised by MPA and Deputy Speaker Suriya Bibi, public outrage will intensify, and the government will face a stronger backlash.