HARIPUR, Feb 28: The inhabitants of Khalabat Town are faced with unemployment, unchecked flow of narcotics, and absence of civic amenities due to the unsympathetic attitude of concerned authorities.

Khalabat Township - 33,000 inhabitants, plus displaced persons of the gigantic Tarbela dam project - was established in the north-east of the district when over 120 villages with 84,000 acres came underwater.

When the affected people were moved to KTS (commonly known as Tarbela Colony) the authorities had promised them jobs and better facilities.

A small industrial estate was also set up. But the investors moved out when the government withdrew the incentives given to them, leaving behind an army of jobless workers.

At present there is only one textile unit operative with over 100 workers.

“From compensation to jobs and civic amenities, every government has betrayed us,” said Amir Shah a local worker of nongovernmental organization.

He added that the people were first deceived when they were not allotted the promised residential plots and agriculture land in Sindh and other provinces.

He said that over 3,000 people were still running from pillar to post seeking compensation.

Joblessness and insecurity have given rise to crime and drug addiction among the youths of the area. According to statistics collected from an unofficial source there are over 300 addicts and drug-pushers in KTS.

Even the roads are in a pathetic condition. Though the township was constructed according to an urban plan prepared by Wapda, faulty planning has resulted in total mismanagement of the scheme.

“The authorities have done nothing to help despite our repeated requests,” said Shabir Anwar Khan, a worker of Mutasireen Tarbela Dam.

He said that when Aftab Sherpao was CM, NWFP, he allocated Rs4.5 million for the repairs of the inner roads and water supply schemes, but no work has been done so far.