Terror hits development work, rues Pakistani official

Islamabad, Nov 6 : The string of recent terror strikes in the country has affected development work and hampered revenue generation for the government, a Pakistani official has said.

The terror attacks have not only discouraged investors but also affected the overall development activities and revenue generation, said Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) director general Makeen Shahbaz.

Shahbaz said the recent wave of terrorism has brought all development schemes to a standstill.

"We are eager to launch development projects, but the poor law and order situation is not allowing us to do so," The News quoted Shahbaz as saying Friday.

He said they are keen to start work on a shopping and parking plaza in Raja Bazaar in this city at the earliest, "but due to prevailing situation we cannot do so".



He said that it is not only the RDA but other departments too, which are reluctant to start their development projects.

He said that the acts of terrorism have caused a loss of 50 percent to the RDA with regard to generating revenue since terror attacks started in various parts of Punjab and North West Frontier Province.

People are not even approaching the RDA to get their building plans prepared and approved, the media report said.

Pakistan has been hit by a spate of terror attacks, including powerful bombings. The Pakistani army has stepped up its offensive in South Waziristan against the Taliban, which has viciously retaliated by carrying out terror strikes across the country, leaving over 200 people dead.

--IANS