ALPURI: Leaders of Tehreek-e-Ehtesab Shangla have demanded transparent and impartial investigations into all development projects, alleged corruption, irregularities, and incomplete schemes carried out in Shangla since 2005.
The demand was made during a press conference at Shangla Press Club Alpuri by the movement’s leaders, including Niaz Khan, Muhammad Abbas Khan, Muhammad Shahzad Khan, Fazal Mabood, Ejaz Ahmad Khan, Ghaffar Khan and Akmal Shah. On the occasion, the leaders also presented a charter of demands highlighting public issues, developmental deprivation and administrative reforms in the district.
The leaders said that billions of rupees in development funds, rehabilitation, and reconstruction projects had been approved for Shangla after the devastating 2005 earthquake, but the ground realities reflected a different picture.
They claimed that no major development project was visibly benefiting the district, while several schemes remained incomplete, delayed, or existed only on paper.The leaders urged accountability institutions to conduct a comprehensive audit and inquiry into development projects, construction works and utilization of funds in Shangla, similar to investigations carried out in other districts. They said such an exercise was necessary to determine where resources allocated in the name of rehabilitation, disaster recovery and development had actually been spent.
According to the speakers, funds released for various projects allegedly benefited only selected groups instead of ensuring the completion of public welfare schemes, leaving the district deprived of basic facilities.
They demanded that records of all federal and provincial development agencies, including Pak PWD, PMAs, Local Government Department, Communication and Works Department and Public Health Engineering Department, should be made public and that tenders, payments and project progress be thoroughly examined.
The leaders stressed that public confidence in the accountability system could only be restored through indiscriminate action against all responsible individuals, including influential figures.
The charter of demands presented by the organization called for transparent investigations into all development activities, alleged corruption and incomplete schemes in Shangla since 2005.
It also demanded immediate accountability of corrupt elements in govt departments and prompt provision of information on all applications submitted under Right to Information laws.Highlighting the health sector, the charter demanded that the shortage of doctors at DHQ Hospital Alpuri be addressed immediately and that essential medical equipment and additional facilities be provided to improve healthcare services for the public.
The charter further called for the immediate resumption and completion of all stalled development schemes across Shangla. Referring to various public complaints and incidents, the leaders demanded swift justice and thorough investigations into allegations raised at the public level.
