Minister Sardar Abdul Rahman Khetran Denies Allegations Regarding Manghi Dam Project Vehicle, Demands Investigation

Quetta:Provincial Minister for Public Health Engineering, Sardar Abdul Rahman Khetran, addressed the media on Tuesday, refuting the allegations surrounding a viral video on social media, which showed a vehicle allegedly linked to the Manghi Dam Project. Khetran clarified that the vehicle in question does not belong to his department, and the number plate used was fake, aimed at discrediting the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department.

In his press conference, Khetran criticized the government’s spokesperson for issuing a press release and removing the Project Director (PD) of the Manghi Dam without any evidence. He emphasized that no vehicle purchased by his department had been sent to any tourist spot. Khetran questioned why his department alone was targeted, while other officials and their families also used government vehicles.

“The vehicle shown in the video is not one of ours. It was a 2023 model, and our department’s vehicles, which were bought in 2017, are equipped with trackers. None of them have left Quetta,” Khetran said. He also stressed that the allegations were baseless and highlighted that the Manghi Dam project, a long-awaited initiative to address Quetta’s water issues, had required sacrifices from security forces.

Khetran further stated that the PD of the Manghi Dam Project had been appointed before he became the minister, and he had no personal ties with the individual. He also questioned the logic behind making the project controversial at this stage, as the Manghi Dam was in its final stages and would provide water to Quetta and surrounding areas by December this year.

“The dam is not just a pile of earth. Our security forces have laid down their lives for this project. Why target our department? If I am found guilty, I will resign from my post,” Khetran concluded.

The minister also pointed out that the government’s spokesperson had acted hastily by removing the PD without conducting proper investigations or verification. Khetran demanded that the spokesperson clarify whether the action was taken on the chief minister’s orders or independently. He called for a thorough investigation into the matter to bring the facts to light.