K-P CM assures Meshud tribe of removing grievances

Mahmood Khan assures survey for damage assessment will be completed soon

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has assured elders of Mehsud tribe of South Waziristan district that the provincial government will make efforts to address their grievances.

The meeting took place at the Chief Ministers House in which important political figures from the Mehsud tribe also announced joining Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Those joining the ruling party include former PML-N leaders Dilawar Mehsud, Ismail Khan Mehsud, Gulab Khan Mehsud from JUI, and Abdul Razaq from Barqi Welfare Association.

Elders from the Mehsud tribe appraised the Chief Minister on their concerns including widespread public apprehensions regarding the recent census, corruption in development schemes and concerns on the on-going survey for damage assessment.

The CM was informed that Mehsud tribe has suffered the most during the militancy which has left their businesses destroyed, families displaced, educational institutions razed, hospitals incapacitated and homes in wreckages.

The elders informed Mahmood that development plans should be finalized on war footings keeping in view the public aspirations adding that all development schemes to be undertaken in the Mehsud Belt should be finalized with the consensus of locals.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister was also informed on the minerals deposits, including gold, copper and chromite, in South Waziristan adding that development schemes for uncapping these hidden resources will prove to be a major boost for the country’s economy.

The Chief Minister consoled that the development schemes in the Mehsud Belt will be finalized in consultations with the locals. Mahmood Khan also assured that stern action will be taken against all those found involved in corrupt practices adding that the very vision of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf is to root out corruption from the country.

The Chief Minister also assured that the survey for damages assessment will be completed soon and compensations will be given accordingly.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24^th, 2019.