SWAT: A writ petition has been filed in Peshawar High Court’s Mingora Bench against alleged irregularities in the ongoing Rs29 billion gravity water supply scheme in Swat.

The petition, submitted on Monday by civil society members through Advocate Shah Faisal and his legal team, challenges the execution and transparency of the multi-billion-rupee project, funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB).

According to the petition, ADB granted a huge loan for the scheme aimed at supplying clean water to Mingora city -- a loan that must be repaid with interest.

However, the petitioners allege that the project is not being executed as originally planned, raising serious concerns that a substantial portion of the funds may go waste.

The petition further alleges that the primary contractor has illegally subcontracted work to other companies, which are reportedly carrying out substandard construction work.

The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (through the chief secretary), Environmental Protection Agency, WSSC Swat, the commissioner of Malakand Division, the deputy commissioner of Swat, and the contracting firm have been named as respondents in the petition.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2025