MANSEHRA, Aug 27: People of Balakot have threatened to launch agitation if work on the ongoing reconstruction schemes launched following devastating earthquake in October 2005 is not completed.

“It is regrettable that work on under-reconstruction projects remains suspended for the last five months, leaving the earthquake survivors in a difficult situation,” said former MPA Mazhar Qasim Shah while speaking at a press conference in Balakot the other day.

Accompanied by elders of the area, Mr Shah told reporters that survivors of October 2005 earthquake were still living in miserable condition in makeshift shelters, but the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) could not restart work on Rs13 billion New Balakot City project. He said that work on the project was suspended a year ago.

“If projects launched for the welfare of people are in doldrums, what would be the fate of schemes to be started next year,” Mr Shah asked.

He said that work on construction of hundreds of schools, health centres, roads and streets could not be started following their suspension a few months ago on the pretext of non-availability of funds.

The former MPA also expressed his concern over downsizing of Erra staff and closures of its offices in the affected region. He said that closure of offices before completion of reconstruction and rehabilitation projects was a conspiracy against the earthquake survivors.