SWABI, June 13: The centre’s failure to release funds has brought work on badminton and table tennis court in Bacha Khan Women Stadium of Salim Khan area to a halt.Money for the Rs7.5 million project, the first of its kind in Swabi district, is to come from development funds allocated to local Awami National Party MNA Bushra Gohar but since the federal government has failed to release the required funds, contractor abandoned work on it three months ago.

Until now, around 70 per cent work on the project is complete.

Dawn has learnt that the district works and services department issued the stadium’s work order on June 8, 2011 and work was to complete within a year.

Soon after work was suspended, local elders wrote to Ms Bushra, saying the contractor had left work incomplete and moved machinery away. They sought her intervention for early completion of work.

When contacted, Ms Bushra confirmed delays in release of funds for the project.

“District coordination officer Mohammad Shah apprised me of the status of the project last week. We will look into the matter after budget session,” she said.

Ms Bushra said she had already spoken to the prime minister about funds and was hopeful that the same would be available soon.