SWABI: Adviser to the chief minister on industry Abdul Karim has expressed resentment over failure of the Swabi Development Authority (SDA) officials to provide basic facilities to the residents of Shahmansoor Township, saying that the civic body was only focused on imposing ‘unjust’ taxes on the dwellers.

Speaking at a meeting with members of the Shahmansoor township welfare association here on Monday, he said that it was surprising that during the last two years SDA officials had not carried out any development work in the area.

He said that about Rs1 billion was spent on development projects by the government in different areas of the district, and also promised provision of funds for the township. However, he said the SDA management had to improve its service delivery to be able to get the development funds.

Mr Karim asked the SDA management to reverse the multiple increases made in various taxes recently as the authority had failed to provide basic facilities to the citizens.

The CM’s aide asked the authority to implement the building bylaws introduced by the provincial government and refrain from imposing taxes on people under the 1987 rules.

He said that there was no security mechanism in the town; majority of electricity poles were tilted and loose transmission lines posed serious threat to the lives of residents. He said that roads were in dilapidated condition and there was no community hall in the town.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2022