PUL-I-KHUMRI (SW): Based on the documents which Salam Watandar received, Abdul Hai Nimati, the governor of Baghlan province, is blamed for halting the construction of a stadium in Police District (PD) 2 of Pul-Khumri city.
The documents note that the governor has claimed the reason for halting the construction of the stadium as complaints by local residents and a school in the area.
Some local residents having concerns over the halting of the construction said that the halting of the construction of the stadium increases the chances of return of construction funds.
Naqibullah Sajad, the acting provincial director of education, said that continuous complaints by the local residents have resulted in halting the construction of the stadium. The provincial director of education does not have any opinion on the halting of the construction, but he added that students and educators believe that construction work impedes learning process in the area.
Mohammad Osman Sherzai, the provincial deputy director of physical education, said the complaints are a mere excuse, so far there have never been any complaints against any other stadiums in Pul-i-Khumri city.
Several civil society activists have welcomed the construction of the stadium right from start and have said such stadiums are a source income to the government.
Naqibullah, a university lecturer, called the stoppage of construction of the stadium “grave injustice” to the local residents.
Mir Aqa Afzali, a civil society activist in Baghlan, also said that those who oppose the construction should answer to the people.
Mahmood Haqmal, the provincial governor’s spokesman, said that the local residents are against the construction of the stadium, therefore, the governor has halted the construction until the consent of the locals is obtained. “The governor has appointed a delegation to solve the matter”, assured Haqmal.
Previously Baghlan’s athletes had complained of the lack of professional stadiums in the province. The completion of the stadium can solve some of the problems of lack of stadiums in the province.
ENDS
