Paktia residents rally against corruption

GARDIZ (PAN): Hundreds of residents of southeastern Paktia province on Tuesday rallied against administrative corruption, blocking the Samkani-Janikhel road for several hours.

Carrying banners inscribed with anti-graft slogans, the demonstrator called for an end to the widespread scourge and prosecution of government officials involved in corruption.

The protestors accused the authorities of failing to implement public welfare projects over the past few years, demanding the construction of a 22kilometer road between Samkani and Janikhel.

If the government did not accept their demand, the demonstrators warned of boycotting next year’s presidential and provincial council elections.

One of the organisers, Haji Rasul Khan, blasted the government for holding out false promises over the years to build the road. He said the rulers were cheating people by making promises that were never kept. They

Muhammad Karim, another protestor, said corruption had reached its peak in all government departments and officials themselves prevented implementation of projects. As a result, he added the distance between the government and people had increased.

Public Works Director Eng. Abdullah Durrani said an international organisation called IRD had promised to execute the road project, which had been delayed for unknown reasons.

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