Protecting farmland: Akora Khattak elders oppose housing project, threaten to protest

Say farmers’ livelihood would be affected if Mega City scheme is carried out on agricultural land.

NOWSHERA:

Opposing the establishment of the Mega City housing project on their lands, elders of Akora Khattak and its adjoining areas have suggested Chief Minister Pervez Khattak to execute the scheme in his native area, Manki Sharif instead.

The provincial government has plans to establish a ‘mega city’ in Akora Khattak, Nowshera and its surrounding villages, including Nandarak, Meshak, Moghalki and Mian Essa.

However, locals contend the scheme is against their interest because it would adversely affect the livelihood of farmers who constitute about 90% of the area’s population.



In a meeting held on Sunday, elders of the areas falling under the proposed scheme decided to hold protest rallies in Peshawar and Islamabad against the project from March 10, if the government does not review its decision.  They also decided  not to sell their lands to the government.

As per the provincial government’s plan, houses are to be constructed on the land between Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway and  GT Road.

To placate the agitated locals, government had directed DSP Tariq Iqbal to contact the elders and hold a jirga with them. Elders at the jirga held on Saturday included Haji Inayatur Rahman, Nasar Khan, Haji Faridullah, Haji Fazal Rabbi, Zulfikar Bacha and Pervez Khan.

However, the issue could not be resolved through the detailed round of talks. Iqbal asked the elders to delay the protest but the elders refused, saying they would not do so without clear assurances from the government that their concerns will be addressed.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2015.