LOWER DIR: Local political leaders and social activists have demanded of provincial government to release funds for all ongoing development projects in the district for their successful completion.

The demand was made during a multi-party conference arranged by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) in Timergara here on Thursday. Local leaders of different political parties, lawyers, traders, representatives of social organisations and elders attended the event.

JUI-F district chief Sirajud Din, tehsil chief Maulana Shamsul Arifeen, former provincial minister Muzafar Syed, PML-N district president Malik Farooq Iqbal, JI district secretary information Shuiab Ahmad, district bar former president Sher Hayat, PPP’s Nawabzada Irfan, Anjuman Tajiran Timergara president Haji Anwarud Din, human rights activist Akbar Khan, Dir Qaumi Pasoon president Malik Shah Nasim and ANP’s Malik Rashid Khan addressed the event.

They criticised provincial government for its failure to release funds for already approved development projects in the district. They said that roads were ruined under Timergara beautification project but work on the scheme was stopped owing to lack of funds.

The speakers said that work on several other projects including Balambat family park and Talash bypass road was also stopped. They said an action committee formed by all opposition parties would soon meet chief minister to inform him regarding apathy of his government towards the people of Lower Dir.

They said that eight CNG stations were established in the district while domestic consumers were deprived of gas facility. They said that most of the traders suffered owing to power loadshedding.

Some of the speakers demanded proper inquiry into Sehat Card programme and Timergara beautification project. They that Timergara tehsil council was deprived of funds as its chairman belonged to JUI-F. They threatened to take to streets if government failed to release adequate funds for ongoing projects in the district.

SIT-IN: All Government Employees Grand Alliance (Agega) on Thursday announced that thousands of workers would participate in the planned sit-in in Peshawar on Jan 22.

The announcement was made during a meeting held in Timergara with Agega district chairman Akhunzada Ubaidullah in the chair. Representatives of various teachers’ organisations, clerks and Class-IV employees attended the meeting.

Agega chairman Ubaidullah, general secretary Muslim Khan, provincial president of Young Teachers Association Attaur Rehman, All Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Subject Specialists Association president Yousaf Khan and Apca president Sehat Jan alleged that government was planning to deprive employees of their pensions.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2025