ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Aviation, Ghulam Sarwar Khan Saturday said Rawalpindi Ring Road (RRR) should not be dropped or delayed, since it is a project of national importance.

Addressing media, Sarwar said the project should be launched during this year as it is a flagship project of the PTI government.

While talking about the current investigations on the project, he said he asked the prime minister to get an inquiry done by the relevant institutions and agencies such as the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and urged action against whoever is found involved in the scam without any delay.

The prime minister recently ordered an inquiry into the changes in the alignment of the RRR project, which had not only increased the cost of the project by Rs25 billion but also allegedly benefited some private housing societies.

The aviation minister said whatever alignment is required, the project should be started this year and it should not become a prey to any conspiracy.

He said the people responsible for the project's feasibility of any alignment should determine the changes within a certain time frame.

"The alignment should be finalised within two to three months and it should be re-tendered and inaugurated this year," he added.

He claimed that the project will be inaugurated this year and the prime minister and the chief minister will do its groundbreaking ceremony.

The minister further reiterated that neither he nor his family had any relation to the realignment, adding that he did not have any involvement in the purchase of land near the project.

He said he had presented himself before the authorities, while adding that he is ready to face the inquiry.

"Probe me, and my family. If any of us are found responsible for any irregularity then take action," Khan said.

He said that the prime minister had told him that his name was not even in the reports submitted to him and thus, there was no need for his previous press conference on the issue.

"I said my name is indeed not in the report but this discussion is part of media and social media and I am a public representative and I have to clear myself."

While talking about the division within the PTI, he categorically denied it, while saying there is no grouping in the PTI.

He said there could be grievances of some people in the party against some officials but these were "small differences" like those among family members. As for the investigations against estranged PTI leader Jahangir Tareen, Khan said many people had faced inquiries and sitting ministers had been sent to jail.

He said everyone is accountable for what they do.

Everyone will have to go through the process of accountability and it will be across the board.

There will be no injustice with anyone and no one will be politically victimised, he said.

He further stressed that there is no forward bloc or grouping in the PTI.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021