Marching on: SWA elders threaten to besiege Parliament House

Jirga members warn of protests in federal capital against ‘corrupt’ political agent .

DI KHAN:

A jirga of Ahmadzai Wazir tribal elders have warned of a long march to Islamabad if the government fails to take action against South Waziristan Political Agent Islam Zeb.

In a jirga held in Wana on Sunday, tribal elders alleged the official was involved in mass corruption, embezzlement of development funds and smuggling of goods to Afghanistan. They said if no action is taken by March 31, its members would set off on a long march all the way to Islamabad and stage a sit-in outside the Parliament House.

Jirga participant Malik Mir Aslam Toji Khel told The Express Tribune all preparations have been made for the long march. “Elders and tribesmen will all participate,” he said, adding banners and placards were also ready for their demonstration.



“We have been asking the governor and other senior officials to take action against the political agent, but nothing has been done,” he complained. “We do not want an officer who creates problems instead of providing solutions.”

The jirga members alleged the political agent had no respect for tribal elders or local traditions and was busy making money through corruption.

Last year, media reports suggested the political agent was involved in rampant corruption. On October 17, 2014, the K-P governor took notice of these reports and formed an enquiry committee to look into the matter.

“The governor’s enquiry committee started its work and recorded statements. An inspection team even visited Wana, but all these actions have yet to produce any results,” said Malik Jamil, another tribal elder and member of the same jirga.

“On February 9, we held a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club and demanded action. As nothing has been done since, we are left with no choice but to embark on a long march to Islamabad,” he said.

“There are some development schemes which exist only on paper, while food and non-food items are smuggled into Afghanistan,” alleged Malik Jamil. “We do not know where the money goes as it is certainly not used for public welfare.”

He maintained there were no checks and balances in the region and that even the political agent was just a cog in the wheel of corruption.

Tribal elders who participated in the jirga included Malik Muhammad Jamil, Malik Sirat Khan Ashraf Khel, Malik Bahwal Khan Kare Khel, Malik Madad Khan Toji Khel, Malik Noor Muhammad Karmiz Khel, Malik Hanif Toji Khel, Malik Maizer Zali Khel, Malik Dastagir Ghulam Khel, Malik Gulbad Shah Yargul Khel, Malik Noorzada Toji Khel, Malik Mir Aslam Toji Khel, Malik Sarfaraz Toji Khel, Malik Neer Muhammad Ada Khel and Malik Bismillah Jan.

Observers also said political administration officials in the tribal areas were involved in rampant corruption and had misappropriated funds earmarked for the Annual Development Programme and Governor Development Programme. They added even private funds donated for the region had been embezzled and nobody was willing to take action despite countless media reports.

An official of the political administration, however, claimed there was no truth to the accusations. “There are some locals who make such false allegations. Taxes are collected to manage the affairs of the agency,” he said while requesting anonymity.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2015.