Ahsan Iqbal calls for inquiry into Peshawar BRT
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!["It started with [a cost of] Rs30bn and has now crossed Rs100bn," says PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal about the Peshawar BRT project. — DawnNewsTV](https://i.dawn.com/primary/2019/07/5d1c75f1c0cfe.png "\"It started with [a cost of] Rs30bn and has now crossed Rs100bn,\" says PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal about the Peshawar BRT project. — DawnNewsTV")
PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday called for an inquiry into the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, saying that the plan had started off with a cost of Rs30 billion and has now crossed Rs100bn.
"If an inquiry has to be held in this country [...] it should be launched into the Peshawar BRT project," he said in a media talk outside an accountability court in Islamabad, where he appeared in connection with a case pertaining to alleged corruption in the construction of the Narowal Sports City Project (NSCP).
"It started with [a cost of] Rs30bn and has now crossed Rs100bn. Its design and its construction are both not organised [...] Peshawar has turned into ditches," he said.
"Narowal Sports City Project is not a project of ditches," he added. The former interior minister said that the sports village, that has been constructed in his constituency, was built in accordance with "international standards" to help promote sports in the country.
According to the PML-N leader, 90 per cent construction of the sports city has been completed but the project is now in doldrums because of the inquiry "that was initiated over someone's baseless request".
"Such successful national projects should not be made controversial," he said.
Iqbal further said that the PML-N had not only completed several development projects that were initiated by its government during its five-year tenure, it had also "completed white elephant projects" that were started by previous governments.
He accused Prime Minister Imran Khan of being "on a mission to demolish Pakistan's economy" and declared that he was "not afraid of arrests or threats".
"We will not stop revealing Imran Khan's failures. We will tell the nation how the growth rate dropped from 6 per cent to 3pc," he said.
He also called upon the government to provide facilities to incarcerated PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah, who was arrested on Monday by the Anti Narcotics Force.
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On DawnNews
Comments (55) Closed
Jul 03, 2019 02:33pm
Running scared and running out of reasons so trying to hang on to anything he can get hold of.
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Jul 03, 2019 02:35pm
Another Nawaz Sharif's corny is worried about his corrupt and black activities during PMLN's tenor. Why make controversial statements and worrying if you haven't done anything wrong?
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Jul 03, 2019 02:38pm
Same old story.If it is me then what about so & so. You were in government why you didn't pursue these cases?
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Jul 03, 2019 02:38pm
make sense, accountability should be held across the board.
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Jul 03, 2019 02:40pm
Stay blessed ! This country needs doers like you who can take decisions not the liars giving false hopes
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Jul 03, 2019 02:41pm
This is a valid demand. It has already costed $1.2 billion to national exchequer whereas the same can be built within $0.2 billion as in Punjab. The massive $1 billion corruption must be investigated and see where the money gone. This $1 billion amounts to Rs.10,000 million loss to us and pTI is busy investigating mere 5 million 55 million just to divert attention from 10,000 mega corruption.
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Jul 03, 2019 02:44pm
Ahsan sb be ready for some action against you after this. how you gathered courage to point out at mega corruption in BRT? By the way, the unfinished metro is costing $1 billion whereas in Punjab 3 metros (high quality) metros are finished within $75 billion, yes 3 metros and yes high quality metros. A serious investigation must be launched against PTI
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Jul 03, 2019 02:45pm
Way to go Ahsan Iqbal. Everyone wonders that why BRT is untouched despite revelations of huge fraud in it. The loss caused by it is super high but everyone is sleeping
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Jul 03, 2019 02:46pm
The BRT is still being completed and yet its cost has crossed all limits owing to corruption in it and guess what same is being recovered from normal citizens like us to pay off ever increasing debt and interest on it. its s shameful situation
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Jul 03, 2019 02:48pm
While I laugh when PTI says corruption was made by PMLN in building three (3) metros in $0.6 billion, while only 1 metro in KPK under PTI costs more than $1 billion.
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Jul 03, 2019 02:48pm
@khalid, who is this, your boss?
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Jul 03, 2019 02:49pm
@khalid, so are you okay with BRT which is nowhere seen getting completed and already 80bn is spent on it. Compare it with PML-N projects, they completed most projects with less money than BRT. Accountability doesn't give right to just find excuse to silent opposition. You can save this but after next 4 years even you will say that these corrupts were better than incompetent IK.
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Jul 03, 2019 02:50pm
In Punjab 1 metro costed $0.2 billion, the 1 BRT is costing $1 billion means $0.8 billion corruption in BRT under PTI's regime. My word PMLN built 3 metros in $0.6 billion. How much more corruption will be seen in BRT?
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Jul 03, 2019 02:52pm
How dare he question the high and mighty lords of the ring? Is he ready for the altar which meets the fate of politicians who are out of favor with the powers that be?
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Jul 03, 2019 02:56pm
They will not because PTI can do nothing wrong!!
People of Pakistan can clearly see that they are not in charge of their own destiny. Vote, elections and political leaders who delivered for Pakistan do not have any value and can be humiliated and insulted for their public service.
I hope and pray for the day when there is true civil supremacy.
We do not have to be idiots to see that nations with vibrant civil society progressed and were able to deliver for their people.
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Jul 03, 2019 02:57pm
Granted BRT is way over budget, but they want to get it right before opening. I remember the rawalpindii/isb metro was opened in a hurry and got flooded in first rainfall due to poor drainage and substandard work.
Same thing happened with Islamabad arport.
Take your time and do it right.
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Jul 03, 2019 02:59pm
@Imran, agreed!!!
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Jul 03, 2019 03:00pm
How about the Nandipur Power Plant Project, Saaf Pani Scheme, Aasiana Housing, Paragon Housing, Raiwind Palace etc. etc.?
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Jul 03, 2019 03:11pm
@Zain U Khan, exactly. He should reply what is is asked for. Let the authorities their own priorities. No one shall get spared.
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Jul 03, 2019 03:13pm
And now the " what about" and " how about" brigade of PTI will jump in to deflect the arguments.
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Jul 03, 2019 03:22pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, these all ar right. But dont try to distract form Mega corruption in BRT which now stands at more than $1billion. All corruption in nandi pur, supposedly, though projects are completes is around nere $50 million, yes 50, but alone in BRT this is more than $1 ,000 milli9n corruption
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Jul 03, 2019 03:28pm
Yes Peshawar BRT is delayed, yes it will cost more but you have to look at the details. It will not be subsidised, it will generate income, it has had additional things like commercial units, cycle track and many other facilities. When you say it is costing more, there is a reason for it and not simply the same thing costing more.
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Jul 03, 2019 03:30pm
Imran Khan is proving himself to be the worst leader in the history of Pakistan!!!!!!
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Jul 03, 2019 03:39pm
I have to hear from this man any condemnation of corruption by Nawaz Sharif and his family
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Jul 03, 2019 03:44pm
Mango people in Banana republic...
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Jul 03, 2019 03:44pm
This country need some big changes
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Jul 03, 2019 03:45pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, Dr Malaria - when will you be returning home to Pakistan? Nation needs nationalists like you to stop living a comfy life in the west and returning home to improve things.
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Jul 03, 2019 03:56pm
Accountability is just for opposition.!!
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Jul 03, 2019 03:58pm
Shame on both PPP and PMLN. Since you both were crooks yourself you never spoke or inquired against discrepancies in KPK projects. Now you dare speak?!?
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Jul 03, 2019 04:00pm
Please face your inquiry on Sports Stadium, first. Don't point fingers on others.
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Jul 03, 2019 04:02pm
BRT of Karachi has also to be got on the list for which previous Federal Govt has taken the onus but ran away and ruined the lives of Karachiites. The project has to be ended on Jun 17 but 2 years overpassed but the Project stands nowhere.......
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Jul 03, 2019 04:03pm
@Zain U Khan, agreed to ....
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Jul 03, 2019 04:10pm
How dare he asked for inquiry of establishment project
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Jul 03, 2019 04:10pm
The reason for your downfall is because your leadership is corrupt. You only care about yourself. If only you have served the people of Pak instead of looting and filling your own pockets.
In the West leaders are elected to serve their people and not rule them, so that's why everyone does not want to be a politician just because he/she has money and resources. The day Pakistani leaders understand this distinction is the day lot of people will drop out of the race.
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Jul 03, 2019 04:11pm
Good call by Ahsan, this is a poorly managed project I must say seen it with my own eyes
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Jul 03, 2019 04:12pm
Who will goo to register. Its ur responsibility. This cannot save ur corruption. You have all right to register case against BRT
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Jul 03, 2019 04:12pm
Very right. Accountability should be equal for everybody. Apart from Peshawar BRT, the fraud KPK tree plantation 'tsunami ' and the fake teachers/ghost students scam in many districts must also be investigated properly .
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Jul 03, 2019 04:20pm
It’s true why there is no investigation or accountability for Peshawar project. There has to be some explanation .
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Jul 03, 2019 04:31pm
No will inquiry will be initiated into BRT simply because this project was handled by pti led government.
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Jul 03, 2019 04:40pm
The question Mr. Ahsan is why should a district of 1.7 have a sports city from public money!! Put "YOUR OWN MONEY" into these projects.
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Jul 03, 2019 04:55pm
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani, your end is near. RIP.
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Jul 03, 2019 05:36pm
The process of accountibility is going on when Gen Musharraf created new force called NAB and since then NAB is used as an arm of sitting govt. against its political opponents.
First NAB was used by Gen Musharraf against PMLN and while PMLN govt. came into power it was used PMLN against Gen Musharraf.
When PPP govt. came into power NAB was used against PMLN Nawaz Sharif and his family members.
Now PTI govt. is using NAB against PMLN and PPP and in addition to send ordinary citizens to jail.
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Jul 03, 2019 05:42pm
fully support this demand.
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Jul 03, 2019 05:49pm
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani,
you cannot see corruption by Peshawar BRT where the spent above 350%
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Jul 03, 2019 06:13pm
Let IK put Pakistan’s economy in right direction.
You have brought Pakistan at the brink of bankruptcy
.PPP and PML-N looted money built there own assets abroad and you have guts to lecture on enconomy.
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Jul 03, 2019 06:15pm
He is correct to the extent that when a controversial orange train project in Lahore can be investigated for mismanagement, bad engineering, sloppy construction practices, cost escalation & outright corruption, why not BRT, which is worst example of bad engineering including design, pre-construction, construction, criminal negligence & corruption? There are no sacred cows, no more. Who else are we protecting for 250% cost escalation & efficacy of this project creating more problems than before?
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Jul 03, 2019 06:16pm
A reaction to initiating probe in Narowal Sports Complex, wherein some aspects are not transparent. OK if Mr Ahsan ask for BRT Peshawar probe, let’s honor his request, probe both the projects simultaneously.
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Jul 03, 2019 06:43pm
What is the point of enquiry when looters are rulling elites ?
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Jul 03, 2019 06:47pm
i am supporter of imran khan but the BRT is a big corruption project because no work is undergoing on it.
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Jul 03, 2019 07:45pm
Obvious fighting back with no facts. If it was such bad project why did you not take action while in government.
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Jul 03, 2019 08:00pm
BRT Peshawar is built with Imran charity money therefore NAB has no right to investigate it.
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Jul 03, 2019 08:21pm
Mr. "I'll sort them out"
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Jul 03, 2019 08:40pm
It's a must. I personally has seen the disaster. NAB sleeps !!!
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Jul 03, 2019 10:58pm
You still around. This man should be in jail.
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Jul 03, 2019 11:41pm
The one in the Punjab was far less costly though longer in length and its not operational yet.. Let's keep fairness and impartiality intact or credibility in the much heralded corruption drive will be lost.
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