Protest: Tribesmen decry unfair treatment by political administration officials

LANDI KOTAL:

Scores of tribesmen from Landikotal and its surrounding areas held a demonstration on Thursday to protest the “indifferent attitude” of senior officials of the Landikotal political administration.

Tribal elders and representatives of traders, shopkeepers and transporters gathered at Bacha Khan Chowk and then proceeded to Landikotal Press Club shouting slogans against Assistant Political Agent Muhammad Tayyab, political tehsildar and other officials. The protesting tribesmen complained that officials are more unjust and indifferent towards them than any of their predecessors. “These officials mint money in the name of taxes and if we refuse, we are put behind bars,” a protester said.

The agitated tribesmen passed a resolution in the protest rally, demanding that the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa governor take notice of problems tribesmen were facing, and replace the political administration officials at the earliest. They threatened to hold a similar protest in Peshawar if their demands remain unheard.

Members of Afridi, Shinwari, Shalmani and Mullagori tribes took part in the rally.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2015.