Land distribution: Swabi’s residents protest against AC

SWABI:

Residents of four union councils of Swabi protested on Tuesday against Topi Assistant Commissioner Payo Khan in front of his office for not handing over their land to them.

Leading the protest, Swabi Islahi Jirga President Gul Mast Khan said they collectively own 18,000 kanals of land in Swabi and obtained its ownership documents after considerable efforts. However, the land has not yet been handed over to them.

Khan said that during several meetings with the assistant commissioner, Payo Khan assured them that he will supervise the distribution of the land after the polio campaigns launched in the area are completed.

However, the land has still not been handed over. Khan claimed some people have illegally occupied it and are not letting the government distribute it to its legal owners. After around three hours of protesting, the assistant commissioner assured demonstrators the land will be handed over to them soon, after which they dispersed.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2014.