MANSEHRA: The residents of Lassan Nawab area here have complained the lack of rooms and other facilities is delaying the start of intermediate science classes in the Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School.

“Most girls abandon formal education after matriculation as no educational institution in our area offers science education in intermediate classes,” Lassan Nawab resident Dr Riaz Ahmad told reporters on Monday.

Leading a group of locals, Mr Ahmad demanded the construction of classrooms in the girls’ college for the enrolment of matriculate students in science courses.

He also complained that classes were congested.

Another resident, Prof Abdul Razzaq, said the government had approved a higher secondary section for the high school, the only for girls, several years ago but intermediate science classes had yet to start.

He demanded the early start of those classes to benefit the girls eyeing higher education.

GOVT WARNED: Contractors on Monday warned the provincial government that they would take to the streets if the communication and works department’s bank accounts weren’t restored.

“We have suspended work on over 1,100 development schemes across the district since the government froze the Statutory Account Principles earlier this month and won’t resume work until our dues are cleared,” Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Contractors Association member Sakhi Sultan told reporters.

He said the money approved by the government for development schemes was deposited in the SAP, but the financial department had frozen all such accounts.

Mr Sultan said contractors didn’t have money to purchase construction material and hire labourers.

Another contractor, Babu Khanzada, complained that his community members hadn’t been paid for their work for four consecutive months.

He criticised the finance department for freezing SAP through which payments are released to contractors.

The contractors threatened street protests on the matter.

When contacted, Xen of the communication and works department Mohammad Shafique confirmed that the funds deposited in SAP couldn’t be withdrawn by the relevant departments on the orders of the financial department.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2022