The education ministry first halted the project for alleged corruption and then for a legal battle by a supplier of books for the project alleging violation of contract by the education directorate.

The ministry is now considering scrapping the project as it could not be implemented even in two years, sources in the ministry said.

The four-party alliance took up the project as part of its 100-day programme after it came to power and it was scheduled to be implemented in less than a year.

Officials said the ministry is likely to initiate a new project with similar features to replace the present one, considering its importance.

The education boards will implement the new project, if it is taken up. Initially, six language laboratories are to be established at six divisional headquarters.

The project would immensely benefit jobless youths as proficiency in English and Arabic is greatly helpful in getting overseas employment, the officials said.

The existing project first hit the snag when a section of unscrupulous officials of the education directorate in connivance with some book suppliers tried to procure unnecessary reading materials without consulting experts to misappropriate huge amounts of money, sources alleged.

The directorate had floated a tender for supply of 458 books in English and Arabic, most of them allegedly unnecessary in learning the languages.

The list of books was prepared reportedly on the suggestion of certain firms and contracts for supply of the books were awarded to them.

The project was stalled following a Daily Star report on the faulty selection of books.

As the education ministry took a fresh initiative to change the list of books, one firm took the issue to court.