Rehabilitation: JI leader urges govt to pay attention to Chitral

Sikandar Sherpao says he will not rest till quake victims in Chitral are compensated.

PESHAWAR: Former MNA and Jamaat-e-Islami leader Maulana Abdul Akbar has urged the government to rehabilitate  areas affected by the earthquake and floods in Chitral district.

Speaking at a news conference at Peshawar Press Club on Thursday, Akbar criticised the federal government for not taking suitable steps to address the needs of the affected population.

“The district has been badly affected by the floods and earthquake in the span of a year,” he said. “A large number of houses have either been destroyed or partially damaged. Many people have been forced to live under the open sky.”

Akbar said the affected population will find it difficult to brave the cold weather and the federal government should take an initiative to rehabilitate them. “The federal government also announced Rs2.5 billion for the affected population,” he said. “However, so far only Rs1.5 billion has been released.”

Ease of travel

The JI leader also requested the government to close Lowari Tunnel for traffic on Sundays and Wednesdays. According to Akbar, this will allow people to conduct their businesses easily.



“Heavy vehicles are not allowed to travel along Lowari Tunnel,” he said. “As a result, this has affected the price of goods that need to be transported through the tunnel.”

Firm stance

Qaumi Watan Party K-P President Sikandar Hayat Sherpao has said he will not rest till the quake-affected population in the province has been rehabilitated.

According to a press release issued on Thursday, Sherpao was speaking at a meeting in Chakesar, Shangla.

“The earthquake has resulted in loss of life and significant property damage,” he said. “All possible measures will be taken to rehabilitate and compensate the affected population. An enquiry will also be conducted to ensure no further delays are experienced in rehabilitation work in Chakesar.”

Sherpao said no changes to the original route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will be accepted. “This will leave people from underdeveloped areas in a disadvantaged position,”
he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2015.