Corruption allegations: Journalists demand action against Khyber political agent

Claim he is misusing his powers, threatening reporters.

LANDI KOTAL: The Khyber Agency chapter of the Tribal Union of Journalists (TUJ) has demanded the political agent (PA) of the area be replaced for his alleged corruption and misuse of authority. 

A meeting was held on Sunday to discuss the matter. Chaired by Landikotal Press Club President Ahmad Nabi, the meeting was attended by members of Bara and Jamrud press clubs as well.

Nabi strongly condemned Khyber Agency PA Mutahir Zeb for his alleged interference in news reports.  “Zeb pressures journalists based in Khyber Agency to prevent them from reporting on his corruption cases,” Nabi said.

He said local journalists had reported the presence of proxy khasadars in the agency’s khasadar force and uncovered a tussle between Khyber Agency PA and the Landikotal assistant political agent after which Zeb threatened reporters.

Landikotal Press Club General Secretary Ali Shinwari said if the PA continued to push reporters against the wall, journalists will organise protests in the entire tribal area.

Shinwari demanded Zeb apologise to the tribesmen for his attitude or they (the journalists) would raise their voices on all platforms to expose his corruption and misuse of powers.

All journalists present at the meeting vowed not to bow down to Zeb’s alleged threats and agreed they would continue to report facts undeterred. They also demanded the government to take action against Zeb and replace him with a more honest officer.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2013.