UPPER DIR/LOWER DIR: A multiparty conference of mainly opposition parties here have rejected the announcement about construction of Chakdara-Dir-Chitral motorway by CM’s adviser Kamran Bangash and demanded restoration of the already approved mega project of CPEC western route for Dir-Chitral region.
The recalled that the project had been approved by the previous PML-N government in 2016.
The leaders of Upper Dir chapters of various political parties, including JI, PPP, PML-N, JUI-F, ANP, APML, and Dir Action Forum, expressed their views at the conference called by JI in a local hotel in Dir.
JI district chief Hanifullah advocate chaired the conference. Former MNA Sahibzada Tariqullah, Mohammad Ali, Malak Behram Khan, Sahibzada Faseehullah, Mir Makhzan Din of JI, Maseehullah Khan and Shah Wali Khan of PPP, Said Anwar Khan, Raja Ameer Zaman and Iftikhar of ANP, Abdul Ghaffar and Maroof Shah advocate of PML-N, JUI’s Mufti Ihsan and others participated in the conference.
They termed the announcement of the mega project by an adviser a joke with the people of the five districts.
Protest demos planned for 15th in Upper and Lower Dir
They said that announcement of such a mega project should have been made by the prime minister himself or federal minister for communication or at least by Chief Minister Mahmood Khan.
The speakers said they had demanded construction of the approved CPEC western route for Dir-Chitral region. They regretted that the project was dropped from PSDP by the current PTI federal government.
The participants announced a series of agitations, adding the first protest demonstration would be held on August 15 in Dir. They demanded that Imran Khan or Mahmood Khan should make announcement about the CPEC western route.
In Lower Dir, the opposition parties have announced to observe Aug 15 as black day against the government for not taking a clear stand on Chakdara-Chitral Motorway project.
The announcement was made during a multiparty meeting held at a local hotel here the other day with MPA Inayatullah Khan in the chair. Former governor Shaukatullah Khan, JI district chief Izazul Mulk Afkari, JUI-F leader Sirajuddin, PPP’s Ashfaqur Rehman, ANP’s Malik Mohammad Zeb, leaders of other political parties, Timergara traders president Anwaruddin and others spoke on the occasion.
The speakers welcomed Chief Minister Mehmood Khan’s announcement to include the Chakdara-Chitral Motorway project in development projects.
However, they said that political parties in Dir, Chitral and Bajaur had reservations about the proposed project.
They said the agitation of opposition parties would continue until work on the project was started.
Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2020
