DERA GHAZI KHAN, May 27: Deteriorating law and order situation of the two border districts of Punjab, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, has badly affected the socio-economic life of the area as no new industry was established in the area during the last one decade.

The construction of Indus highway and an airport at Dera Ghazi Khan in mid-nineties created hope of rapid development in the area but nothing was done worthwhile in the area.

According to a Dera Chamber of Commerce and Industry official, no new industry was set up in the area since 1994 as kidnap for ransom and other heinous crimes became order of the day.

He strongly condemned the role of law enforcement agencies as they failed to provide security to the people of all walks of life. He said in the early nineties, these districts were ideal for huge investment and in those tranquil days, cement, tractor, fibre and textile units were set up. But now the process has stopped.

He mentioned that Dera chamber president Khawja Muhammad Yunis set up five industrial units in Muzaffargarh district instead of these districts.

The law and order situation affected the sale of petrol and diesel as people used other routes fearing crime against them, said Petrol Pump Association member Umar Khan Khetran.

Goods Transport Association president Sheikh Aslam said their business had also been badly affected by the prevailing law and order situation. He added that drivers were not ready to carry goods for Rajanpur, Rojhan, Kashmore (Sindh), Ramak (NWFP) and Balochistan.

He said at least 350 passenger buses were running daily between Peshawar and Karachi via Dera and Rajanpur. Now their number had been reduced to half.

The manager of the PIA office here, said due to the law and order situation, people preferred air route for Karachi.