CHARSADDA: Qaumi Watan Party chief Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao on Wednesday demanded of the federal government to start work on Munda dam and make it part of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of restoration work on Munda Headworks in Charsadda district, he said that the dam would produce 740 megawatts electricity. The feasibility of the project was prepared long ago, he added.

Mr Sherpao said that besides cheap electricity, the project would also help in reducing risk of floods. “The federal government should immediately launch work on this project,” he added.

The QWP chief said that about two million Pakhtuns were rendered homeless while around 60,000 were killed in the war against terrorism. He said that schools were targeted in Shabqadar and Charsadda. “Now Pakhtuns are being forced out of Karachi as well,” he added.

Says it should be made part of CPEC project

Mr Sherpao said that his party would continue its struggle for restoration of peace, promotion of trade commerce and creation of employment opportunities. Addressing the ceremony, Provincial Senior Minister Sikandar Sherpao said that Munda Headworks was swept away in the floods in 2010.

He said that besides its restoration, its capacity was also increased by 100,000 cusecs. He said it was the first complete automatic headworks of the country.

The minister said that farmers of Charsadda, Nowshera, Mardan and Swabi districts would benefit from the headworks. He said that developmental projects worth billions of rupees were underway in Charsadda district whereas many others were completed.

He said that 24 mega projects in irrigation sector were being executed in Charsadda while 178 bridges and 161 channels were also being constructed.

The minister said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project was very important for people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. No injustice with the province would be tolerated in that regard, he added.

The minister said that an industrial estate would be established in Charsadda soon.

PROTEST: The village and neighbourhood councillors including men and women from the entire district staged a protest at Farooq Azam Chowk to demand honoraria and solution to other problems faced by them.

The protesters said that provincial government was giving honoraria to tehsil councillors but they were deprived of it. They said that government was making tall claims about empowering local governments before elections but then it was silent on the issue.

The protesters demanded payment of honoraria and specification of their powers. They threatened to launch a protest drive if their demands were not met.

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2016