A MULTI-million-rupee bridge, which is almost 99 per cent complete and connects Islamabad with rural Phulgran, has been blocked by the family of a sitting MNA who originally piloted this project.

This bridge was expected to be opened by the former PM, who lost his job after he was declared ineligible for holding the office after the contempt of court case.

I appeal to the president, the prime minister, the chief justice, the media and parliament, as well as the Senate chairman (in whose constituency this highhandedness is taking place in broad daylight), to take notice of this crime against the taxpayers of rural Islamabad.

Is Phulgran part of Fata where the writ of the state does not exist? The family of the MNA concerned must explain its role in blocking the opening of the bridge which took more than three years and oodles of money to near completion. The possibility of massive corruption cannot be ruled out in this expensive project which is complete but mystery surrounds its non-functioning.

Looking at the hollow blocks closing the bridge, I feel ashamed of being a Pakistani. Anybody worried if public concern is still part of our political dictionary?

BASHIR MALIK   Islamabad