SWABI: Jamaat-i-Islami provincial chief Mushtaq Ahmad Khan on Thursday demanded of the Supreme Court to hold an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit funds.

“There is a need for probing the embezzlement of resources in the BRT project so that the culpable people could be taken to task,” Mr Mushtaq told reporters here after visiting the house of party leader Saeed Zada to condole the death of his mother.

The JI leader said the BRT was an ill-planned project, whose cost had escalated to Rs70 billion.

JI leader says culpable people should be taken to task

He said massive corruption had been committed during the execution of the bus project.

Mr Mushtaq said the BRT project had ruined Peshawar’s University Road and GT Road besides negatively impacting on the local businesses.

“Peshawar’s drainage system stands destroyed; the gas and water supply system has been badly damaged, and no space is left on the roads for pedestrians to use,” he said.

The JI leader claimed that two buses couldn’t use the BRT track simultaneously.

He criticised the ruling PTI for extending the BRT project completion deadline again and again saying the state of affairs exposes the incompetence of the government.

ASSISTANCE SOUGHT: The Afghan refugees living in Gandaf and Gohati camps have demanded of the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees and Unicef to help them rebuild mud houses destroyed by the recent rains.

Twelve mud houses in the two camps had collapsed in the recent rainfall.

However, no damage to public life was reported.

The refugees told Dawn that they didn’t have enough money to rebuild mud houses and therefore, the UNCHR and Unicef should provide them with adequate financial assistance.

“We live hand to mouth as there’s no opportunity to work. Without the UNHCR and Unicef’s help, we can’t rebuild our houses,” said refugee Sayabullah Khan, whose mud house caved in lately due to heavy rains.

The refugees said they had no option but to shift to the houses of relatives.

CHEATING IN EXAM: The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Mardan, has directed invigilators to check cheating by students in the examinations for ninth and 10th grades.

It warned that those found to be guilty of the dereliction of duty would be dealt with strictly.

The examinations began on Thursday and will end on April 2.

Meanwhile, a 100kv electricity transformer was stolen in Shakrai area here on Wednesday night.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2019