MINGORA: Disappointed with the government, the youth of Swat Kohistan here on Wednesday decided to initiate a campaign for the reconstruction of Bahrain- Kalam road which was destroyed in 2010 floods.

Kicking off their drive they held their fi rst meeting at Bahrain valley, which was attended by a large number of youth from Bahrain, Kedam, Mankiyal, Kalam, Utror, Usho and several other areas of Swat Kohistan. They vowed to work collectively, saying they had no trust in hollow promises of the MPAs, MNAs and other figures of the political parties.

“The politicians and the federal government have been ignoring our continuous pleas for the reconstruction of Bahrain- Kalam road which was washed away by floods in 2010,” said Mujahid Torwali, a resident of Bahrain.

He said that the issue of road was exploited by all the parties as a political slogan before every election to get votes.

Swat Kohistan youth to launch drive for start of the project

“Disappointed with the government, we, the youth, have decided to start a movement for launch of the project,” he said.

He said that the youth would also visit Islamabad and try to meet the prime minister to demand reconstruction of the road.

They decided not to involve their MPAs and MNAs in the campaign.

“At least 21 people, including 10 children, have been killed in different accidents between Bahrain and Kalam in the recent past while several trucks laden with vegetables fell down into the Swat River.

Despite frequent accidents and casualties the federal government has ignored the area deliberately,” said Sher Nawab, a youth activist from Kalam.

Qaisar Shah, a young political activist from Madyan, said that their next step was to stage a protest in Bahrain valley. A youth councillor from Mankial announced support of all the elected representatives to the campaign.

They said that the area MPA, MNA and PM’s adviser Amir Muqam during the last four years inaugurated the construction work of the road, but all that proved bogus. “Last year a tender was also advertised to keep people away from strikes,” said another youth activist. The youth also formed a committee to pursue the matter.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2016