MIRANSHAH: Local contractors in North Waziristan tribal district have called for an end to awarding contracts to non-locals, excessive taxes and political interference in projects.
The representatives of Contractors Association of North Waziristan including president Haji Khaliq Noor Wazir, general secretary Malik Gul Wali Khan, Qabil Shah, Nazir Khushali, Jehanzaib Asadkhel, Shafiq Turikhel, Engineer Ikramullah, Abid Maddakhel and others said this in a brief talk with local media persons.
Chief of North Waziristan Malik Nasrullah Khan told journalists that there was political interference in the government contracts in the tribal district. He said the local contractors are perturbed over political interference and award of contracts to non-local contractors. He further alleged that local contractors are not getting government contracts due to political interference.
The chief of Waziristan warned that the local contractors will launch a protest movement if their reservations were not addressed. He said the local contractors are sincere people who always prefer interest of the area and want development. However, he said, they are not getting success in their goals for their area due to political interference.
The local contractors said some vested interests are trying to push back the area towards darkness and backwardness which will never be allowed. They said there are no differences among the local contractors and all of them are unanimous for making joint efforts for swift development of the area.
A dispute has surfaced in North Waziristan after an angry mob allegedly stopped work on a road project forcibly as the contract has been awarded to a non-local contractor.
A video went viral on social media few days ago in which it could be seen that angry mob attacked a road construction site in Speen Wam area of North Waziristan and damaged equipment and also scuffled with workers there. The tent of contractor was also set on fire.
The contractor, Saud, alleged that some influential people wanted to mint money from him and after his refusal, they incited the local people against him who damaged his equipment and also stopped work on road construction.
The contractor said he has obtained this contract legally through e-bidding, and if anyone has objection over it then he is free to adopt legal course.
A spokesman for the district police chief told TNN that the local lawmaker is trying to arrange patch-up between the two parties.