MIANWALI: The PTI parliamentarians alleged that the model bus terminal project worth Rs253.33m launched in March 2022 is facing a delay because the PML-N government is deliberately not releasing funds for it. As per contract, the project was to be completed within two years.
The PTI had made a clean sweep in the last election in Mianwali and it’s one of rare districts in Punjab to have done so.
MNA from Mianwali-II, Barrister Omair Khan, told
Dawn that the model bus terminal project was initiated by the then PTI government in 2022 on the public demand but unfortunately the project delayed due to non-provision of funds by the PML-N rulers of Punjab simply because it was initiated by the PTI. He said the rulers forgot that such development projects were for public welfare and not for any political party. He called it a moral obligation of the present rulers to provide funds to complete the project.
Another PTI MNA from Mianwali-I, Jamal Ahasan Khan, while giving his views to Dawn revealed that there were many mega projects started by PTI govt for Mianwali district like that of the bus terminal, water supply in Khatak belt as well as projects of roads, education and health sectors etc were lying incomplete waiting for funds from present Punjab govt.
Allege that govt holding funds deliberately; PML-N leader denies allegations, saying funds would be released soon
“They must remember that it is the responsibility of the coming government to complete the public welfare projects launched by the previous government.”
Mr Khan said politics by the ruling party in Punjab was causing a loss to the general public.
Denying the allegations, the PML N leader and former MNA of the party, Inamullah Khan Niazi, who is also member District Development Committee, said he was very optimistic for release of funds soon as he had urged Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to provide funds for completion of all public welfare mega projects of Mianwali district.As per record, this bus terminal was established in 1977 by the Municipality on state land spread over 13 acres by shifting the bus stands from city to the complex on the Sargodha Road. With the passage of time its development needed as per growing transports and rush of passengers.
On demand from the public representatives, the PTI government in 2022 decided to turn this bus stand into a model bus terminal along with panahgah and langarkhana equipped with modern facilities.
As soon the work started, the transport owners were moved out of the bus stand boundary and were forced to sit on the main road. They had been working in makeshift tents by the roadside without any shelter for passengers in harsh weather conditions and scorching heat for the last four years. The buses are embarking passengers on the roadside, creating a traffic mess as well as facing harsh treatment from the traffic police. This delay in the project is also badly affecting the shopkeepers as well as daily wagers attached to the terminal.Some months back, the CM gave 15 electric buses to Mianwali and they were also stationed in front of an incomplete building of the bus terminal where a charging station was also set up.
Muhammad Latif, a transport owner, told
Dawn that for the last four years, he as well as others were sitting on the road without any shelter for passengers waiting to board the buses while there were no water and washroom facilities.
“We met the district administration several times but they promised for solutions but were helpless due to paucity of funds to complete the mega project and provide facilities to the general public as well as to transport owners.”
Saifullah Khan, a transport owner, told Dawn that the absence of facilities for transport also needed the attention of the high-ups. He alleged that they were harassed by the traffic wardens for parking buses and vans on the road but they had no other option.
This scribe contacted EXEN Building Azam Ghafoor who claimed that 90pc work had been completed on bus terminal project delay was due to paucity of funds.
“So far Rs329m have been spent on the project but it still needs Rs46m for its completion. We have made persistent requests to the authorities concerned and are still waiting for funds.”
Suggesting a solution to transport owners problems, Mr Ghafoor said the municipality could shift them and make the bus terminal functional because building and bays had been completed and only minor works like washrooms, tuff tiles and rest areas were yet to be constructed.
Mianwali Deputy Commissioner Asad Abbas Magsi told Dawn that he was concerned about the delay of the project and was aware of the problems of the public as well as the transport owners. He said he had sent requests to the high-ups concerned and was hopeful that required funds would be released to complete the mega project.
Published in Dawn, June 15th, 2026