By Our Correspondent
HARIPUR/ABBOTTABAD: A public survey conducted by the Pakistan Peoples Front has claimed that a majority of residents in Haripur and Abbottabad support the proposal to merge the two districts with Islamabad, rejecting the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly’s resolution opposing the move.
According to the survey, people from both districts expressed support for the Pakistan Peoples Front’s campaign seeking to give practical shape to the proposal for their inclusion in the federal capital.
Public representatives and local circles quoted in the survey alleged that Haripur and Abbottabad have remained underdeveloped because of the influence of local political elites.
They claimed that certain influential political groups were opposing the merger primarily to protect their traditional political interests and control over local resources.
The supporters of the proposal argue that the inclusion of Haripur and Abbottabad in Islamabad could bring major improvements in infrastructure, public services, employment opportunities and overall development, potentially transforming the lives and upgrade living standard of residents.
The Pakistan Peoples Front said that a majority of respondents in its public survey had pledged to actively participate in its movement for the inclusion of the two districts in Islamabad.
The Front also pointed out that when Islamabad was being established, there had been a proposal to include Haripur in the federal capital, and former President Ayub Khan was also reportedly supportive of the idea.
The development comes after a resolution was presented in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly opposing the proposal to include Haripur and Abbottabad in Islamabad.
However, according to the Pakistan Peoples Front and sections of the local population, the resolution does not reflect the aspirations of the people of the two districts.
The issue is expected to remain a subject of political and public debate, particularly over questions of administrative control, development and the future status of Haripur and Abbottabad.
