CHITRAL: Senior political and social leaders in Chitral have alleged large-scale corruption in disaster relief and rehabilitation projects, particularly within the Communication and Works (C&W) Department, and urged authorities to launch an immediate investigation.
Speaking at a press conference at the Chitral Press Club on Sunday, the leaders warned that public protests could follow if action is not taken against those accused of misusing public funds.
The speakers alleged that millions of rupees were spent through bogus billing, citing payments of Rs 1.7 million for Governor Cottage Road works, Rs 3.0 million for the rehabilitation of Chew Bridge, Rs 3.1 million for Danin Gahatak Road, and Rs 3.0 million for snow clearance on a two-kilometre stretch of the bypass road.
They also claimed that a contractor was paid Rs 3.0 million for filling a small pit at one end of the historic Chew Bridge, calling the payment unjustified.
The leaders demanded a transparent audit of all disaster-related payments made by the Tehsil Municipal Administrations of Chitral and Drosh and other public works departments over the past five years, alleging the existence of ghost and substandard projects.
Responding to the allegations, C&W Division Lower Chitral Executive Engineer Wasim said all payments were made under established procedures and added that the projects in question predated his tenure. He said he would comment further after reviewing the relevant records.
