In Nawan Killi area of Quetta, as soon as the local government elections were announced, heavy machinery was brought onto the roads and construction work started day and night. However, immediately after the court postponed the elections, contractors and machinery disappeared the very next day.
Local residents say that this battle of political interests has disrupted the traffic system in Nawan Killi, Killi Kotwal, and surrounding areas, where piles of soil, excavation sites, and open drains are not only causing accidents but have also destroyed the sewage system.
According to official documents, the total cost of the project in 2024–25 was set at Rs 439 million. Out of this, Rs 307 million were to be released, while Rs 132 million were shifted to the next financial year. Later, in PSDP 2025–26, the same scheme was included under a new name, “Construction and Rehabilitation of Main Nawan Killi Road,” stating that Rs 100 million would be spent by June 2025, with Rs 70 million allocated for the current year and Rs 330 million earmarked for the next fiscal year.
Residents say the sudden halt of work has proven that public needs are not a priority for the authorities.
The people of Bannu have united against terrorism, kidnappings, and lawlessness. The special peace jirga has demanded immediate action from the government.
**People of Tando Muhammad Khan district are divided into two parts despite living within the same district. The reason is not a political boundary but a canal. The Guni (Phuleli) canal, which originates from the Kotri Barrage, passes through the middle of the district. However, due to the absence of a bridge at RD 41/42, the populations on both sides of the canal have effectively been cut off from each other.**
According to local residents, not only daily movement but also access to basic facilities has become a major issue. Schools for boys and girls, graveyards, and other essential places are located on the opposite side of the canal, and women, elderly people, and students all have to use boats to cross.
Due to the lack of a nearby bridge, people are forced to travel around 4.5 kilometers to take an alternative route, which is not feasible for most residents.
Recently, in Village Haji Ghulam Hussain Laghari, Deh Aari Pota, Union Council Saeed Mato, Bulri Shah Karim taluka, the body of 83-year-old Muhammad Parel Laghari was also transported across the canal by boat for burial in the graveyard.
Locals say that a bridge was approved here two years ago. Construction began and iron rods were installed on both sides of the canal, but work was later stopped and the contractor disappeared. Even today, the iron rods standing along the canal banks serve as a symbol of unfulfilled government promises.
Different candidates from the Somro family have been elected seven times from this area on the Pakistan Peoples Party ticket. At present, Khurram Karim Somro is the MPA, while Syed Naveed Qamar has been elected MNA nine consecutive times from the National Assembly constituency. However, none of them has addressed this serious issue.
