Essential works

What is essentially the package that was announced recently, with a lot of fanfare, by the honourable PM? To me it is going back on his own words when he used to severely criticize the previous government for having spent everything on roads. Now somehow he is convinced that the process of road-building is a big source of employment for labourers. Roads are in fact one of the main factors which determine the development of any area. Look what a road connecting a village to the main highway can do to the day to day lives of its inhabitants. Their time of travel to the nearby cities is reduced considerably. Their children have the opportunity for education in better institutions located in the cities. Farms to market time is also reduced. In fact, their whole lifestyle is changed for good.

Now that the PM has realised the importance of this communication system, I request him to show a big heart and order completion of the left-over projects of the previous government. I will not take the names of Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif for being instrumental in starting these projects as the PM gets emotional and vindictive upon hearing their names.The road from Peshawar Mor to the new Islamabad airport meant for the metro bus needs to be completed. About 90 percent work on this road is already complete but was stopped two years ago. Similarly expansion, up to four lanes each side, and extension of the Islamabad expressway from the old airport turning up to the GT Road is also held up for the same reasons. The same may be completed at the earliest for the convenience of the general public.

Cdre (r) Sajjad Ali Shah Bokhari

Islamabad