K-P CM criticises PIT for making Peshawar BRT report public

Mahmood Khan says no differences with Khattak and Tarakai, flaws in project will be corrected

PESHAWAR: In a clear case of kill the messenger, Chief Minister Mahmood Khan criticised the Provincial Inspection Team (PIT) for making public the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) project report.

“I had asked PIT to identify the hurdles and issues of the BRT project, rather than to file an inquiry report,” he said.

“We never mind the words of former CM Pervez Khattak over the project, he is an elder brother to us and we respect his guideline. We will try to correct the flaws of the BRT project soon,” CM Mahmood said at Water and Sewerage Services Peshawar (WSSP) Clean Green Peshawar programme.

“BRT is a huge project of the previous government, we knew that for now we are facing criticism, but soon when the project is initiated and running, people will be praising them (the past PTI provincial government) for presenting a model for the rest of the country,” he said.

Regarding allegations of corruption in Billion Tree Tsunami project, he urged the people to bring forward any proof they have. He assured of protecting the whistle-blower identifying corruption in government projects.

He also cleared the mist of having issue with the media of the province. “We have cordial relationship with the media.” However he expressed resentment over leakage of BRT report, which was with him for the past two months. “I had received the PIT report two months ago and issued directives accordingly.”

While commenting on rumours of differences with Minister for Local Government Sharam Khan Tarakai, he said: “I am making it clear we have no differences in the cabinet.”

He predicted that PTI would bring about economic stability in the country within a year.

He also appreciated the efforts of PTI government in curbing the use of polythene bags pollution. The CM also announced to start operations against the sale of unpacked milk.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2019.