Voicing concerns: Nekpikhel Grand Jirga demands resolution of civic problems

Members discuss prolonged load-shedding, lack of medical facilities in Kabal tehsil.

KABAL: The Nekpikhel Grand Jirga has urged the government to resolve multiple civic issues plaguing Kabal tehsil of Swat Valley.

The tehsil’s elders, political and religious leaders, peace committee members, lawyers and civil society members made the demand in a jirga convened on Sunday. Participants discussed the overall situation of civic facilities in Kabal tehsil and various other issues faced by residents.



Jirga members said the steel bridge installed over Swat River near Ayub Bridge should be shifted to Kabal and installed there because Ayub Bridge has been completed and there is no need for a makeshift steel bridge near it.

The gathering was told that Kabal tehsil has only one bridge for its 500,000 population and therefore people face difficulties in using it to cross the river and get to Mingora.

The Grand Jirga also criticised Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited and Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation Limited for digging up roads in many localities and leaving them uncovered.

“We have been facing extra unscheduled load-shedding in Kabal which has paralysed life. Wapda officials are selling electricity to the CNG stations,” the jirga members said. They demanded that only scheduled power outages be observed in the area.

Lack of facilities and shortage of staff in the area’s Tehsil Hospital was also among the topics discussed. The jirga demanded the government post grade-19 doctors in the tehsil and install necessary equipment.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2015.