Snail-paced development in Paktia deplored

GARDEZ (SW): Members of Paktia provincial council and local civil society activist blamed the provincial administration for not executing the so many projects recently launched.

In conversation with Salam Watandar, they said President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani in his recent trip to the province laid foundation stone for the township for public servants, industrial park, Gardez – Zurmat road, new building for the police headquarters and project for the imported electricity, but except for the power supply project, none entered practical phase.

Ayub Gharwal, deputy chairman of the provincial council, informed months after the ground-breaking, there is still no progress on the ground on these projects. He lamented that despite promises, the province has not been upgraded.

Meanwhile, Jamaluddin Asifkhel, a local civil society activist , blamed the provincial administration for the snail-paced affairs.

Rejecting these allegations, Shamim Khan Katawazi, provincial governor, said security measures are in place to kick-start work on Gardez – Zurmat road, Machalgho Dam, industrial park, township for public servants and many other development projects.

The locals fear if the projects are further delayed, winter would arrive to halt the work for good.

ENDS