BATTAGRAM: The residents of Kolai and nearby villages here have decided to boycott the upcoming general elections to record their protest against unavailability of drinking water in their areas.

They also warned the local politicians not to come to their areas for seeking votes, as they had failed to fulfil their promises about approval of water supply scheme.

Accompanied by the area youth and notables, local political activist Abdul Faraz Khan told mediapersons that earlier they had staged a protest to convey their message of ‘vote for water’ to the political figures, but no one took the matter seriously.

He claimed that 1,400 people of the area would not cast their votes to any political party or independent candidate. “Our children, men and women cover miles of distance on their feet to fetch water from natural springs,” he said.

Mr Faraz said that both the former MNA and MPA elected from the area in the previous elections had promised to construct water supply scheme, but during their tenure they did not visit the area. He said that these so-called ‘electables’ were treating them like their slaves.

He said that now they had formed a committee which would generate funds for construction of the water scheme on self-help basis. He said that initially they had started fundraising in Battagram district. However, he said that if any candidate contesting the election would sign a deed about construction of water supply scheme with them they could review their decision and vote for him.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2018