RAHIM YAR KHAN
Rahim Yar Khan was a model district of Bahawalpur division but today it is a backward area as the Punjab government is settling old score with population of the area. But we will not keep silent and raise voice against the rulers at all forums, declared former Punjab governor Makhdoom Syed Ahmed Mehmood while addressing a press conference at the resident of PPP District President and former MPA Javed Akber Dhiloon here on Thursday.
Makhdoom Mehmood criticised that Rahim Yar Khan was the only district where law was being flouted in broad daylight as the government had started construction despite the stay orders of Mehmood stadium. He said that the development budget was in the hands of ruling party and newly constructed roads in the city had been broken only to place plaque carrying their own name. He alleged that the government was taking revenge from citizens of Rahim Yar Khan for their affiliation with the PPP. He claimed that the Punjab government was not sincere in holding local government elections. The former governor asserted that he had two issues with the Punjab government - one was of resources and other one was employment.
He emphasised that the Punjab government should restore 1992 quota system for allocation of development funds to ensure maximum funds for big cities of both the North and Central Punjab. Makhdoom Ahmed pointed out that the government had no future vision for the education, health, irrigation and agriculture, adding that there was no step in sight to address the issue of lack of irrigation and drinking water in the district.
“The PPP government got vacated Swat from terrorists but now the government appears to be in hurry to negotiate with the terrorists,” he stated, adding that the government seemed to be oblivious to the importance of fertile land and was considering establishment of coal power generation plants in Tranda Sawaye Khan. Makhdoom Ahmed boasted that the resolution of NFC award was a great success of the PPP government as it was the only public party of the country. The former Punjab governor regretted that Bhawalpur division was ignored for uplift projects but big development projects and metro bus service were being launched in Lahore and Rawalpindi only.
He alleged that some owners of sugar mills belonged to the ruling party were looting the farmers through different tactics. The former governor categorically declared that local bodies elections were right of the masses and the government should announce schedule for its conduct. He warned that if the district and provincial governments failed to listen to public problems the PPP would launch protest outside DCO office.
PPP District Information Secretary Mehmoodul Hasan was also present at the press conference.