BAJAUR: Speakers at a multiparty conference the other day demanded of the federal government to include Chitral, Dir, Bajaur and Mohmand districts in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project.

Elders, right activists, lawmakers, former parliamentarians and leaders of mainly opposition parties from the districts attended the moot hosted by the Jamaat-i-Islami’s local chapter at the residence of MPA Sirajuddin Khan.

JI MPA from Upper Dir Inayatullah Khan chaired the meeting.

Former governor Shaukatullah Khan, JI MNA from Chitral Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali, JI former lawmaker from Upper Dir Sahibzada Tariqullah, ANP leader Hussain Shah Yousafzai, former MNA Sahibzada Haroon Rasheed, PPP provincial vice-president Syed Akhunzada Chattan, All Pakistan Muslim League provincial president Mian Sultan Yousaf Bacha, JUI-F Upper Dir chief Maulana Sirajuddin, JUI-F Mohmand district head Maulana Arif Haqani, its Bajaur chapter chief Maualna Abdur Rasheed, PPP local chapter president Aurangzeb were the key speakers among others.

The speakers highlighted the significance of CPEC and said it was the largest ever development project launched in the country’s history.

However, the speakers said Mohmand and five districts of the Malakand division had no share in the multibillion dollar project, which was great injustice with the people.

The speakers claimed the previous PML-N government had approved Chackdara-Dir-Chitral-Bajaur route in the CPEC’s western route, and funds had also been allocated in the PSDP.

But, the incumbent PTI government had dropped the project without any reason.

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2020