Mayor says Mardan being deprived of key projects

MARDAN: Mayor Himayatullah Mayar said on Monday that the Mardan district was being deprived of several key projects launched by a previous provincial government led by the Awami National Party (ANP).

Speaking at a meeting of the city district local government, he said the ANP-led government had established the first Khyber Institute of Neuro Research (KINR), supported not only by funds allocated for Mardan and surrounding districts but also designed as a significant project for the entire Pakistan.

However, due to the recent decision of the caretaker government, Mardan and surrounding areas are being deprived of the project.Speaking at a meeting attended by council members, leaders of various political parties, business unions, representatives of student organisations, government officials, and journalists, the mayor stated that in the past, a 5,000-kanal piece of land was purchased for various projects, including 2,000 kanals for Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, 2,000 kanals for Agriculture and Engineering University, and 1,000 kanals for Bacha Khan Medical College.

He added that, after approval in a cabinet meeting, funds were being allocated. “Unfortunately, the current caretaker government is now returning the lands of the projects to owners as per a decision made by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. The caretaker government executed this decision due to the non-availability of funds,” he added.

He said that despite the survey and project planning for a new advanced cancer hospital in Mardan, the recent decisions of the provincial government were depriving Mardan of a much-needed advanced cancer hospital.

The mayor said that previous projects like the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ), Pakistan’s third-largest Benazir Bhutto Children Hospital, and other significant initiatives were also being neglected.

The mayor criticised the provincial government for allocating funds every year for the loss-making Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project but not allocating Rs3.5 billion for the owners of the land allocated for different projects to provide a bright future to the youth of Mardan and surrounding districts.

He appealed to all political leaders, student unions, lawyers’ associations, traders’ unions, doctor associations, and the people of Mardan to come together and raise their voices for the bright future and rights of Mardan. The leaders and representatives at the meeting condemned the decisions of the provincial government and pledged to fight collectively on all forums for the rights of Mardan and the bright future of the youth.

Under the leadership of Mayor Mardan, all political leaders, the business community, students, and council members protested vigorously by turning to the office of the commissioner of Mardan against the provincial government’s decision.They collectively presented a memorandum to the commissioner. Later, the protesters dispersed peacefully.