Muhammad Rehan
DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The long-delayed flyover and drainage projects in Dera Ismail Khan have become a major source of concern for residents and the business community, affecting nearly 2.5 million people across the district.
Traders have raised serious reservations over the slow pace and alleged substandard construction work, warning that properties, commercial plazas, and residential houses worth billions of rupees are at risk.
An emergency meeting of the Central Traders Association was held at the office of Mahmood Khan Kharoti, chaired by President Sohail Ahmed Azmi. Prominent traders and members of the association, including Muhammad Ramzan, Javed Akhtar, Chaudhry Jamil Ahmed, Sheikh Majeed Ahmed, Khalid Hussain, Irfan Bettani, Arshad Baloch, Chaudhry Shahid Raj, Muhammad Rehan, Irfan Mughal, Fazlur Rehman, Mujtaba Saleem, Rehan Azam, Muhammad Saeed Awan, Hasibullah, and Chaudhry Riaz, attended the meeting.
Addressing the gathering, Sohail Ahmed Azmi expressed deep concern, stating that the ongoing flyover and drainage projects have severely disrupted daily life, turning the city into what he described as “a state of disrepair.” He said that traders, students, government employees, and the general public are facing immense difficulties due to prolonged construction and poor planning.
The participants alleged that contractors, allegedly backed by influential figures, are carrying out substandard work at an extremely slow pace. Concerns were also raised that the drainage system may fail under heavy water pressure, potentially leading to serious urban flooding issues.
The traders demanded immediate completion of the flyover projects and the restoration of shops and properties affected by drainage construction. They warned that if the pace of work is not accelerated and quality standards are not ensured, traders and citizens will be compelled to launch a joint protest.
The meeting also condemned the ongoing unscheduled load shedding by Water and Power Development Authority, urging authorities to take immediate steps to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in the area.
