Road construction delay sparks strike

Funds release holds up Lilla-Jhelum road project

PIND DADAN KHAN:

The administrative sub-district (tehsil) of Pind Dadan Khan stayed shut on Friday as part of a strike over delays in the construction of the dual carriageway as part of the Lilla-Jhelum Road project.

Locals say the project has been stalled for over 18 months due to non-provision of funds.

As part of the strike, big and small commercial centre remained shut. The roads were also deserted as transporters were also part of the strike and took part in rallies and protest at various locations across Pind Dadan Khan. One of the sit-ins took place at the Lilla Mor.

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Smaller protests have been taking place for the last two weeks, with the shutdown bringing about an escalation. The protesters have given till December 20 for the work to resume on the project.

They contend that business activities have been badly affected due to the non-completion of the road. It was also causing inconvenience to locals who had to spend hours on the road, with the proposed new road likely to cut down travel time exponentially.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16^th, 2023.