Depriving the displaced : Enquiry committee to probe bribery charges

Mehsud tribe people say political admin officials have caused immense difficulties for them.

DI KHAN: The political agent of South Waziristan Agency has formed an enquiry committee to probe allegations levelled by people of the Mehsud tribe against officials of the political administration. The tribespeople accused the latter of asking for bribes in exchange for compensation cheques.

The cheques were for money announced to reconstruct houses damaged during the insurgency in 2009. The political agent stated these points during a meeting with local elders.

Members of the Mehsud tribe, who were displaced following operation Rah-e-Nejat, said the officials first deliberately wrote wrong names and addresses on the cheques then asked for bribes to make corrections. It was said around Rs15,000 to Rs20,000 was demanded from the tribespeople.

Secondly, locals accused administration officials of asking them for sweets as a treat to get the work done.



After the allegations were levelled, South Waziristan Political Agent Zafarul Islam Khattak formed a committee under the assistant political agent of Wana. “If anyone is found guilty, strict action will be taken against them,” Islam said.

So far, two people, Muhizullah and Mujeeb Khan, were booked in the case and put in the Wana Scouts Camp jail.

However, other political administration officials of Ladha, especially the assistant political agent, are still said to be involved in the crime.

Compensation was announced by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra about a month ago. He announced Rs2.9 billion to be distributed among 5,500 displaced families whose houses were damaged.

The assistant political agent of South Waziristan and naib tehsildar, Allah Noor Shirani, were among those who had to manage distribution.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2016.