PESHAWAR, Sept 29: Former MNA and Jamaat-i-Islami leader Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali on Saturday criticised the government for failing to complete work on Lowari tunnel and said the relevant ministers betrayed the people by making false promises.

Speaking at a news conference here at Peshawar Press Club, Mr Chitrali said communication minister Dr Arbab Alamgir and provincial population welfare minister Saleem Khan had announced two months ago that work on the project would resume shortly, but that had yet to happen.

“The ministers had claimed that heavy machinery had been shifted to the site of the tunnel but the reality is otherwise,” the JI leader said.

He alleged that the funds meant for Lowari tunnel had been diverted to Multan and Larkana, constituencies of Gilani and Bhutto families, while rights were denied to Chitralis.

The former lawmaker said until now, around Rs8 billion had been spent on the project and the process had been stopped and in case of any further delay, the cost of the project would escalate.

He alleged that the tunnel was opened for VVIPs but closed for commoners.

He warned that if the government failed to complete the project, the people of Chitral might take to the streets.

Mr Chitrali alleged that the government was intentionally delaying the project.

He appealed to the Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court to take suo motu notice of the delayed work on the tunnel and sufferings of the people, and take action against the relevant authorities.

He also asked the government to return the funds meant for the tunnel from Multan and Larkana so that the long-delayed tunnel project could be completed without delay.