CHITRAL, Aug 16: MNA from Chitral, Shahzada Iftikharuddin has demanded establishment of a 132KV grid station in Chitral to ensure smooth electric supply to the district from the Golen Gol hydropower project.

Speaking to reporters here, Mr Iftikharuddin said the people of Chitral were upset by the government’s decision not to supply electricity generated by the local power project.

He said acute shortage of electricity was the main hurdle to exploration of marble in the district.

The MNA said the exploration of marble could help alleviate poverty in the region by providing employment opportunities to local residents.

He said the establishment of a marble city in Chitral was on the anvil but the project wouldn’t produce the desired results until smooth electric supply to the proposed city was ensured.

Mr Iftikharuddin said many businessmen had decided to invest money in the proposed marble city, which was a good omen for the progress of the area, but shortage of electricity would force them to review their decision.

He said it was unfeasible and a bizarre idea to carry electricity generated from the project to the national grid in Mardan via Lowari Pass and then supply to the district.

The MNA said he would raise the matter on the floor of the House.

Also in the day, former MNA from Chitral Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali demanded supply of 30 megawatts electricity to the district directly from the Golen Gol hydropower project.

Mr Chitrali told a news conference here that the establishment of a grid station in Chitral was inevitable.

He said the people of Chitral would agitate if they were denied electricity supply from the Golen Gol project.

PTI, PML-Q, JUI, PPP and ANP leaders were also in attendance.