MIANWALI: The Punjab government has constructed a nearly half-mile long carpeted road in Muslim Colony, Mianwali city, in just one day.

This remarkable feat was achieved on Thursday, ahead of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s expected visit to condole the death of Maj Babar Khan Shaheed, who was martyred in a clash with terrorists in Balochistan.

Ironically, many top officials, including President Asif Ali Zardari, the Balochistan governor, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and several top ranked army officials, visited the residence of the martyred officer, negotiating the broken road to reach the site.

Yet, the Punjab government has seemingly prioritised impressing the chief minister over completing long-pending development projects in Mianwali, which were initiated by the previous government.

These incomplete projects include the model bus stand, roads in Mianwali city, and the dualisation of Mianwali-Sargodha Road. Despite their importance, they await funds for completion.

The newly-constructed road in Muslim Colony, built at an estimated cost of over Rs5 million, raises questions about the government’s priorities. An inquiry may probe the status of incomplete projects and ensure the provision of funds to complete them as per law.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2024