MANSEHRA: The residents have demanded action against the contractor and officials of the communication and works department over the ‘embezzlement’ of funds for the rural health centre in Dasu, the district headquarters of Upper Kohistan.

Leading a group of locals, Bakht Buland Khan told reporters on Saturday that the Wapda had approved Rs107 million from the Area Development Fund for the development of Dasu dam- affected areas but the money was being embezzled in the garb of renovation and repairs.

He said the contractor in connivance with officials of the communication and works department had embezzledthe Dasu RHC funds after just replacing sealing woods and cementing dilapidated walls.

The resident said the RHC, which was built with concrete blocks almost four decades ago, was in very bad condition.

Wapda had okayed Rs107m for uplift of dam-affected areas

Another resident, Siraj Khan, said the Wapda had signed an agreement with the district administration to construct schools, technical colleges, health centres and roads and execute other public welfare projects in the areas affected by the Dasu hydropower project but funds for the purpose were being embezzled in the name of renovation and repairs.

Mohammad Hafeez demanded an inquiry by the anti-corruption establishment department into corruption for action against the culpable officials.

NEW BALAKOT: Special assistant to the chief minister on population and MPA Ahmad Hussain Shah and former lawmakers from Balakot tehsil Ziaur Rehman and Mazhar Ali Qasim have announced that they will jointly work for the early allotment of plots to the 2005 earthquake’s survivors in the New Balakot City housing scheme.

The development came during a jirga held in Balakot on Saturday.

Mr Shah said the government was sincerely working for the early development of the New Balakot City and allotment of its plots to the relief of the families displaced by the earthquake.

Mr Rehman said he would do his best for the rehabilitation of the 2005 calamity’s victims.

Mr Qasim said the earthquake survivors wanted early allotment of plots in the New Balakot City.

The jirga decided to form a 10-member committee to take up the New Balakot City issue with the government and district administration for necessary measures.

JOINT RESEARCH: The Helping Hand Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kohat University of Sciences and Technology here on Saturday for joint research and training, student welfare and financial support.

Kust Vice-Chancellor Dr Sardar Khan and HHIRS executive director Mohammad Saleem Mansoori signed the MoU documents during a special ceremony, where faculty members of both educational institutions, researchers and others were in attendance.

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2021