MINGORA: Transport owners and residents of Jambel, Kokarai and Parona areas of Swat district staged a protest demonstration against the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led

provincial government here on Wednesday, saying that like the previous government it had also failed to rebuild roads to scenic tourism destinations and serve the local people.

They warned the provincial government of a wheel-jam strike if it did not immediately start reconstruction work on the 28-kilometre dilapidated Mingora-Jambel road.

The protesters closed Haji Baba transport terminal here and marched on the city roads while chanting slogans against the government and elected representatives from the district.

Owners of local hotels said that due to dilapidated conditions of the local roads, particularly Mingora-Kalam road, and roads to other tourist destinations the tourism industry in the scenic valley had been suffering great financial losses.

Addressing the protesters outside the Swat Press Club, Barkat Lala, Mir Karam Khan and other elders of Jambel said that Mingora-Jambel road, which is being used by heavy traffic between Swat and Buner districts, was in a dilapidated condition since long. They said that the previous Awami National Party-led provincial government had also promised to reconstruct the road, but failed to fulfil its commitment.

The elders said that they were hopeful the PTI-led government would take steps for rebuilding the road, but it also failed to pay attention to solution of the people’ problems.

They, however, said that the present government could still win back the people’s support by reconstructing Mingora-Jambel road and onward to Khalil Kandao, connecting Swat with Buner district.

Owners of hotels in Mingora wonder why the government is not giving attention to rebuild these roads because tourism of the scenic valley depends on them. All Swat Hotels Association president Zahid Khan said that all the local roads must be rebuilt if the government wanted to promote tourism in the area. Several small roads damaged in 2010 floods in the area have still been awaiting reconstruction.

Published in Dawn, October 30th , 2014