Daily Times

PESHAWAR: A few days after his release on bail, PTI dissident legislator and KP erstwhile provincial minister for mines and minerals, Ziaullah Afridi, has criticized his party-led provincial government over failure to launch any single mega development project, except construction of a Hayatabad flyover in provincial capital Peshawar.

Instead of execution of the earlier planned community-driven and inter-city beautification projects, Afridi said the provincial government has shifted its focus from Peshawar to Nowshera, Mardan, Swabi, and Dir, by diverting funds to these districts.

Speaking at a crowded news conference at press club on Wednesday, Afridi disclosed that these districts also get lion’s share in provincial Annual Development Programme, by depriving Peshawar.

Despite the announcement of schemes for Peshawar, such as Bachat Bazaar, Car village, and safe city, he said the projects are still in papers, and yet to be implemented as per plan. He mentioned the PTI led provincial government is going to initiate metro bus project with financial assistance of Asian Development Bank, against its manifesto.

“If Khattak Government is interested in the Metro project it should cut development funds allocated in ADP for Nowshera, Dir and Swabi and spend on construction of this important project. He said the condition of inter-city roads is dilapidated and required immediate reconstruction.

Despite having 10 elected members of provincial assembly (MPAs) from Peshawar, besides electing PTI chairman Imran Khan in last general elections, he said the city has completely ignored and deprived of development during last three and half years.

PTI dissident mentioned that only Rs 4 billion was being spent on erecting of protection walls and embankment of River Kabul in district Nowshera, while the residents of Peshawar were deprived of development since long.

He said Rs 14 billion funds allocated by USAID for municipal service programmes but unfortunately less than Rs 1 billion have been utilized by the Khattak-led KP Government which depicts its inability for judicious utilization of the funds for people’s welfare. He went on to say that certain elements in the party has misled Imran Khan by giving him false briefings regarding development projects and funds spending in Peshawar.

Keeping in view prevailing circumstances, Ziaullah Afridi announced that he is going to launch a movement “Tameer-e-Peshawar” (Build Peshawar) from today, and sought the cooperation of all segments of society for making the campaign successful at all level.