Dera ismail khan: Residents of Paroa tehsil staged a protest demonstration on the Indus Highway at Paroa city on Wednesday against the closure of the Paroa Sports Stadium, delay in the completion of the Indus Highway project, and staff shortages at the Government Degree College (Boys).
The protest was organised following the closure of the sports stadium after the provincial government failed to pay outstanding dues to the landowner. The demonstrators blocked all types of traffic on the highway, causing severe inconvenience to commuters.
The demonstration was led by Malik Farooq Ahmed, Sardar Aijaz Imtiaz Baloch, Qismatullah Khan and Malik Arshad Naveed, while a large number of local political figures and citizens participated.
The protesters raised slogans against alleged provincial government neglect and demanded the immediate reopening of the sports stadium, early commencement of the stalled Indus Highway work within Paroa city, and the fulfilment of staff shortages at the boys’ degree college.
Later, Assistant Commissioner Paroa Shah Bahram and DSP Paroa Saleem Baloch reached the site and held negotiations with the protesters.
Following the talks, the administration assured the protesters that work on the Indus Highway would be started within 15 days and that the staff shortage at the degree college would be addressed. The administration also stated that efforts would be made to resolve the sports stadium issue at the earliest.
After the assurances, the protesters dispersed peacefully but warned that they would resume protests if their demands were not met within the given timeframe. The protesters said that the provincial government was treating Paroa tehsil unfairly, a situation they said would no longer be tolerated.