KOHAT: The residents of Buraqa area of Shahpur union council have demanded an inquiry into use of substandard pipes for a water supply scheme, which burst immediately after water was released into them.

Talking to reporters here on Sunday, they said the villagers were forced to bring water from distant areas on donkeys and in vehicles by spending time and money.

They said neither the administration nor the anti-corruption department had taken notice of substandard water supply scheme.

Sarli Gul, a former district councillor, and elders, including Sher Rehman, Imam Din, Zar Wali, Shakir Bangash, Muneeruddin, Raiaz Din and Kanar Khan, said Rs1,500 was paid for bringing water from a far off area on a pick-up truck.

They recalled that MPA Dr Iqbal Din Fana had released funds for digging a tubewell in 2010, but the scheme could be launched. Likewise, former lawmaker Imtiaz Qureshi and MPA Ziaullah Bangash of PTI had also released funds for laying a pipeline from the Suleman Talab.

However, they said the substandard pipeline burst when water was released with pressure from different points.

They said the damaged pipes awaited repair.

They alleged that MNA Shehryar Afridi had also allocated funds for the purpose, but it was not known where the money was spent.

The residents of Buraqa area also pointed out that there was no school for boys and girls, and no health facility.

Meanwhile, the local dairy farm association has demanded raise in the price of milk.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Maqsood Shinwari, the association’s president, said it had become impossible for them to sell the milk at Rs110 per kilogramme. He said the local administration was not allowing them to raise the milk price.

Mr Shinwari pointed out feed of animals was becoming costly as the new price of binola khal, an essential cattle supplement, had gone up to Rs2,500 per bag, that of concentrate feed to Rs2,800 per bag, dry roti to Rs58 per kilogramme, wheat bran (chokar) to Rs3,100 per bag, and oilseed Rs570 per kilogramme.

Mr Shinwari said the dairy farmers had to rely on green fodder, which resulted in less milk and meat production.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2022