Development schemes: Shelving the dictator, and his projects

Development projects worth billions of rupees initiated during Musharraf's tenure came to a standstill when he left.

GILGIT: As the former President Pervez Musharraf’s government ended, a number of development projects worth billions of rupees initiated during his tenure in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), came to a standstill, The Express Tribune learnt on Sunday.

“A dozen RCC bridges started in G-B during the Musharraf government are still incomplete,” said a source in public works department. One of the main bridges initiated by the Musharraf government and left incomplete is situated in the heart of Gilgit.

The issue of the bridges in Gilgit was also taken up by the G-B supreme appellate court, directing the public works department officials to complete it or face the consequences.

“The cost of these bridges is around Rs1.5 billion,” said the source, adding that the present government is not taking interest in their completion on the grounds that since they were started by the Musharraf administration, it should have ensured their completion.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2011.