By Asif Mehmood Awan
Abbottabad — Amna Sardar, a Member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly, has expressed serious concern over the prolonged delay in the reconstruction of schools damaged in the 2005 earthquake, describing the situation as alarming even after nearly two decades.
Speaking in the provincial assembly, Amna Sardar said that 20 years have passed since the devastating earthquake, with the 21st year now underway, yet 113 affected schools remain incomplete. She questioned the utilisation of Rs8 million allocated by the provincial government for these projects, noting that despite the passage of time, not a single school has been fully reconstructed.
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The lawmaker pointed out that winter vacations are currently ongoing, and once schools reopen, only around two months would remain in the current budget cycle. She questioned how the construction of 113 schools could realistically be completed within such a short period, terming the information provided to the House on the issue as unsatisfactory.
Amna Sardar said the delays not only reflect poor planning but also raise concerns about accountability and oversight. She added that the matter directly affects students in earthquake-hit areas who continue to suffer due to the lack of proper educational facilities.
Her concerns were supported by lawmakers Nazir Abbasi and Laik Muhammad, after which the issue was referred to the relevant committee for further scrutiny and a detailed inquiry to determine facts and fix responsibility.
The MPA also objected to the absence of the Education Minister from the House, particularly on a day when questions related to the Education and Higher Education Department were listed on the agenda, calling it a matter of concern for legislative accountability.
