GUJAR KHAN: The fate of the Sui gas supply project approved by former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf for the villages of his constituency hangs in the balance.

Under the project, about 50 villages in tehsil Gujar Khan (NA-51)were to be supplied gas through the development funds approved by Mr Ashraf. The funds were released to the SNGPL and work on laying the pipelines was started in most of the villages. However, later the project was stopped on the direction of the Supreme Court. 

When contacted, Naseer Feroz, the general manager of the SNGPL, Rawalpindi division, told Dawn that the project had now been cleared by the apex court in public interest but during the litigation the funds lapsed. Now the Ministry of Petroleum is pursuing the accountants general of Pakistan revenue (AGPR)for the revival of the funds.

The official admitted that not only the villagers were suffering due to the dug-out streets and unfinished work but also consignments of pipes already released by the company were lying dumped under the open sky.

Another senior officer of the SNGPL based in Lahore on the condition of anonymity added that it was in the interest of the company as well as the public and the government to restart and complete the left-over work in the villages of Potohar. 

On the other hand, the people of the villages said they were losing hopes and disgruntled with the PML-N government.

Raja Mohammad Shauket of the Proj Sharif village in the Jand Mehlu union council said those who voted for the PML-N candidates now felt betrayed as the projects were lying unattended.

He said the PML-N would lose its vote bank in the area if these projects continued unattended. 

Malik Pervez of Kangar, a local leader of the PML-N, while addressing a gathering of the party workers in Gujar Khan criticised the elected representatives and said he was feeling shy of facing his voters and supporters due to the dismal performance of the legislators.

He said if the PML-N failed to improve the road infrastructure and provide basic facilities to the citizens, the people would look for other parties for the solution of their problems. 

It may be noted that 95 per cent work on the gas supply projects in Negail, Proj Sharif, Helian, Jhamaath, Jand Mehlu, Lodhey and other localities was complete. PML-N leader Raja Javaid Ikhlas, when contacted, said he had approached the prime minister for the release of funds. He said about Rs200 million had been approved for completing the project.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2014