Anwar Zada Gulyar
Political tensions have escalated in Bajaur over the alleged unfair distribution of development funds for Provincial Assembly constituency PK-22. Awami National Party (ANP) Member of the Provincial Assembly, Nisar Baz Khan, has warned that if the ongoing injustice against the people of the constituency is not halted immediately, the scope of protest will extend from the courts to the streets.
Addressing an important press conference at the Bajaur Press Club, MPA Nisar Baz Khan said that the people of PK-22 are being deprived of their legitimate rights. He stated that the matter has already been challenged in the courts; however, to safeguard the public mandate, the party will now also resort to street protests. On the occasion, ANP Bajaur President Gul Afzal Khan and other party leaders were also present.
He said that formal proposals addressing the long-standing issues of all 31 village councils of constituency PK-22 had been prepared and submitted to the Chief Secretary and the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, when the ADP Umbrella Scheme was launched, the share of funds allocated for PK-22 in Bajaur was diverted to other constituencies. He added that whatever limited funds remained were distributed among unelected individuals instead of the elected representative of the constituency, which he termed a clear injustice.
Strongly criticizing the provincial government, Nisar Baz Khan accused it of acting in bad faith and alleged that the people of PK-22 are being deliberately deprived simply because an Awami National Party candidate won from the constituency. He termed this approach a blatant violation of democratic values and a clear insult to the public mandate.
He further said that while the issue has already been challenged in court, a protest movement will now also be launched to raise a strong voice against this injustice, vowing that the constituency’s due funds will be secured at all costs. In conclusion, he appealed to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi to respect the mandate of the people and take immediate notice of the injustice being done to PK-22.
At the end of the press conference, ANP leaders reiterated their resolve that the struggle would continue at all levels until the people of the constituency receive their rightful share.
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