KOHAT: The residents of oil and gas-rich Lachi tehsil here have complained about acute water shortage, which has forced them to consume water from rain-fed ponds.

They said that the most-affected areas were Cheshno Ghunda, Sodal and Bangikhel.

Talking to reporters here on Monday, the residents regretted that despite repeated promises by successive governments, no mega water supply scheme could be launched in PK-81 constituency. They pointed out that former chief minister Pervez Khattak had announced starting work on two water supply schemes in Shakardarra and Lachi in 2017, but to no avail.

The locals said that residents of almost all the union councils were forced to use pond water. They said that the OGDCL was providing water to people through tankers in Shakardarra, but ignored other areas.

Shafique, a local resident, alleged that some influential people got water through tanker on a priority.

Jasim Saadat, a former district councillor from Shakardarra, said that the problem was grave in the Khattak belt comprising union councils of Lachi, Darmalak, Mandori, Sodal, Sharkardarra Urban-1 and Rural-1 and 2.

He said that the last government had spent Rs50 million on the Chashmi supply scheme to bring water from the River Indus, but regretted that the project had been stalled due to alleged corruption.

He demanded an inquiry into alleged embezzlement of Rs200 million, which he said was pocketed by MPs and contractors.

He said that the project remained a prominent election slogan of candidates.

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2022