By: Abid Ali Khan
Millions Worth of Sand Exported Daily, Yet Locals Deprived of Basic Facilities — Residents Protest, Heavy Vehicles Barred, Urgent Action Demanded from Authorities In the remote village of Paki Ban, located in Tehsil Ghazi, truckloads of sand worth millions of rupees are transported daily to various cities. However, it is a matter of deep concern that the very residents of this resource-rich village remain deprived of even the most basic amenities.
The absence of a proper paved road, combined with constant dust clouds and the disruption caused by heavy traffic, has made life unbearable for the locals. According to residents, the frequent passage of heavy trucks has not only worsened the already dilapidated roads but has also led to severe air pollution, making it difficult to breathe. Children, the elderly, and the sick are forced to endure these harsh conditions every day, while the authorities remain silent and indifferent. Frustrated by this ongoing neglect, villagers recently came together and took decisive action by blocking the route used by heavy sand-transporting trucks. The protestors demanded the immediate provision of basic infrastructure, particularly the construction of a proper road.
The residents have appealed to the Tehsil administration, elected representatives, and relevant departments to urgently take notice of their plight and ensure the construction of a paved road to alleviate their suffering. They have also warned that if their legitimate demands are ignored, the scope of the protest will be expanded. The villagers stated that it is not enough for the government to simply extract natural resources from their land; it is the state’s responsibility to also provide basic human rights and facilities. The people of Paki Ban have made their message clear: “We are Pakistanis too — we deserve the right to live with dignity.
