MNA from Chitral seeks transparency in reconstruction projects

PESHAWAR: Shahzada Iftikharuddin, Member of the National Assembly from Chitral, has demanded strict monitoring and transparency in the reconstruction projects being carried out in the flood-hit Chitral district.
In a statement, he said the people of the under-developed Chitral district had suffered huge losses as the flood in July was the worst disaster in their history. He reminded that roads were washed away, irrigation channels were destroyed and the infrastructure was damaged. “We have detected anomalies in the reconstruction and rehabilitation projects. Irregularities are being committed and the funds earmarked for projects are being embezzled and wasted,” he complained.
Shahzada Iftikharuddin said there was still no electricity in upper Chitral. He pointed out that the Reshun power project would need Rs1.5 billion to rehabilitate, but it would take three years to complete the project. He said funds had been earmarked for reconstruction projects, but the real challenge was to properly and honestly use the money for the benefit of the people. “The payment to the line departments and organizations should be made after developing a mechanism to measure the work done. The progress on the projects needs to be monitored on the ground so that there is transparency,” he added.