In dire straits: Traders in Wana face challenges amid compensation delays

PESHAWAR:

Delays in compensating traders and landowners in Wana, South Waziristan has left many in dire economic straits.

A six-member committee of elders has been trying to persuade relevant authorities to address the matter as soon as possible which took to the fore on September 15, 2015. After a military convoy was bombed, leaving five soldiers injured, security forces immediately launched a search operation and called in air support.

After the area was damaged during and after the military action, authorities decided to widen the road from 30 to 60 feet. Representatives of the committee in Peshawar told The Express Tribune a large number of shops and buildings were razed to the ground on September 15, 2015.

They added the political administration of South Waziristan has completed an assessment of buildings that were destroyed, sent a report to the relevant authorities and asked them to compensate them. According to elders, 400 shops, between 20 to 25 markets and a large number of houses were destroyed. A number of petrol pumps were also affected in not just military action but also in encroachment drives.

Set of promises

Malik Samatullah Khan, another representative, said their elders had donated 30 feet of land to build the road. “After the recent move, officials vowed to pay the price for the remaining 30 feet of their property that was used to widen the road,” he added.

The authorities also promised to compensate shopkeepers and landowners for damages caused to their property.  “Over the years, we have restored peace in the areas that come under our control,” he said. “We have rendered countless sacrifices in this regard. We have suffered economic losses due to the decision to destroy our shops and houses to widen the road.”

According to Malik Samatullah, the government must take an initiative to compensate landowners and traders who have been affected by the decision.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2016.