CHITRAL: Former Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Shahzada Iftikhar Uddin has strongly condemned the arrest of peaceful protesters demanding accountability for alleged corruption and substandard work on the Torkhow Road project.
He has called for their immediate release and urged authorities to take serious notice of the irregularities in the project.
In a statement, Shahzada Iftikhar said the people of Torkhow have been raising concerns for over a year regarding embezzlement and poor-quality construction on the Torkhow Road.
He alleged that a junior-ranked SDO was given the additional charge of XEN in the Communication and Works (C&W) Department, facilitating advance payments to contractors and thereby enabling widespread corruption.
“Instead of transferring the SDO or investigating the matter, peaceful protesters and public representatives have been slapped with FIRs while the SDO continues to enjoy political patronage. This is a grave injustice,” the former MNA said.
Local elders, he added, have pointed out that while funds for the road project had been released, there was little to no work being done on the ground.
Recalling his family’s long-standing commitment to the Torkhow Road project, Shahzada Iftikhar said:
“My late father, Shahzada Mohiuddin, had secured Rs280 million for this road, which I later got it revised and increased to Rs1.1 billion during my tenure as MNA. Despite multiple past allegations, no corruption was ever proven.\”
However, he added, \”I firmly believe that future payments should be made strictly on the basis of verified work measurements, and all forms of advance payments must be stopped. Otherwise, funds are disbursed but nothing materializes on ground, what benefit does that bring to the people?”
He called on the chief secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, commissioner Malakand Division and the deputy commissioner of Upper Chitral to immediately withdraw the FIRs filed against peaceful protesters and local representatives. He also urged them to ensure that visible work is carried out on the ground and prevent the misuse of federal funds.
\”Transfer the current SDO and appoint a competent XEN on merit to restore public confidence and deliver meaningful progress.\”
These individuals have not gone to jail for any crime, but for standing up for their rights.
\”May Allah protect our brothers and fellow citizens. Insha’Allah, truth will prevail. We stand firmly with them at every stage of this struggle,” he added.