Paktians demand work on pledged projects

GARDEZ (Pajhwok): Residents of southeastern Paktia province demand resumption of work on projects that have been left incomplete.

Ahmadullah Ahmadi, Tairai youth association head, said many projects had been promised to be executed in the province by President Ashraf Ghani and other officials in past few years but the schemes were yet to be implemented or pursued.

Addressing a joint meeting between local officials and residents, Ahmadi said not a single dam could be constructed in Paktia.

He said during the past 10 years no major road could be constructed in the province and work on 103 school buildings was yet to be launched as promised by the government.

Janat Khan Malang, a tribal elder, however, hailed some initiatives of the president with regard to foreign policy. He said there were elements inside the government who did not support the republic and strengthening of national institutions, but instead created problems.

Mohammad Rahman Qaderi, a member of the provincial council, said the president had promised to convert Paktia into an economic zone, but they did not witness any practical work.

Deputy governor Abdul Wali Sahi said the peace process had entered an important and sensitive phase and the government must discharge its responsibility properly.

He promised to follow the promised and incomplete projects and said efforts would be made to implement them.

sa/ma