KOHAT: A jirga here on Saturday asked the government to issue a fresh tender for reconstruction of the Liaquat Memorial Hospital due to cost escalation and refusal of the contractor to continue work amid non-payment of dues.

The jirga was organised by Karwan-i-Kohat, which represents local welfare organisations.

Speaking on the occasion, the project’s contractor Ghulam Habib said he had demolished some portions of the old hospital building in 2018 on the promise that he would be paid Rs40 million, but so far only Rs10 million were released.

He alleged that MPA Ziaullah Bangash was misguiding people by claiming that he had released Rs30 million in 2021 and transferred another Rs40 million to the communication and works department, the executing agency of the project, in January 2022.

Karwan-i-Kohat president Saeed Akhtar Paracha said the government should immediately issue a fresh tender so that the building could be completed in the shortest possible time.

Later, the C&W department’s executive engineer held a briefing for the jirga members, clarifying that he had been issued only Rs1.8 million and not Rs40 million as claimed by MPA Bangash.

Work on reconstruction of the hospital was inaugurated by former chief minister Pervez Khattak in 2018 at a cost of Rs1.2 billion.

The contractor stopped work when only Rs10 million were released, whereas he had spent Rs20 million from his pocket, according to jirga members.

OFFICIALS SUSPENDED: The customs collectorate, Kohat, has suspended two officials for taking bribe from the tuckers on the Kohat-Parachinar Road.

Assistant collector Ali Hassan told Dawn on Saturday that they had been receiving complaints from the truck drivers about the customs officials forcing them to pay bribes.

He said an inquiry had been initiated against the suspended officials.

He asked the truckers to report to him if any official forced them to pay bribes.

POWER PROTEST: A number of Peshawar Electric Supply Company consumers of Lal Mela area of Muhammadzai Town blocked the Kohat-Hangu highway against a 36-hour-long power outage on Saturday.

The protesters gathered in front of the residence of MPA Ziaullah Bangash and demanded restoration of power supply.

The protesters lifted the road blockade after the Pesco officials restored the electricity supply on the directives of the MPA. The protesters also agreed to pay the outstanding bills.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2022