Concerns expressed over Shalman water scheme delay

LANDIKOTAL: Leaders of the Shalman Water Scheme movement warned on Saturday that the worsening water crisis in Landikotal has reached alarming levels, with women compelled to walk long distances carrying heavy containers to access clean water.

During a “Meet-the-Press” programme at the Press Club here, leaders of the Shalman water supply scheme movement leaders Sharifullah Shinwari, Rabbi Khan Afridi, Akhtar Ali Shinwari, Jamal Nasir and others expressed grave concern over the rapidly declining water table in the area.

They stated that even in the 21st century, local women were being forced to bring water on their heads from distant areas, which is both inhumane, agsinst social ethics and unacceptable to Pashtuns culture.

They said the only viable and long-term solution to the crisis was the completion of the Shalman water supply scheme, a long-pending project that was promised by public representatives prior to the 2024 general elections.

“Before the elections, we were assured that 60percent of the scheme’s work had been completed, with the feasibility report and survey finalized. However, since the elections not a single rupee has been allocated in the budget nor has any progress been made,” said one of the elders. The leaders criticized the elected representatives from Khyber district, all of whom belong to the same political party including the MNA, MPAs and even the current provincial minister from Landikotal for failing to fulfill their promises. They stressed that tube wells were no longer a sustainable solution as groundwater levels continue to drop across the region. “Our villages once had abundant groundwater but now even deep tube wells are running dry,” said Sharifullah.