KHAR: The earthquake-affected people of Bajaur Agency on Wednesday complained about not receiving compensation cheques for their damaged and destroyed houses.

Talking to Dawn, Akbar Khan, a resident of Salarzai area, said his house was listed in the damaged houses list but so far the administration didn’t provide him the compensation.

Habib Khan, hailing from Mamond, said dozens of houses in the area had been listed for compensation during the recent housing assessment survey, but so far compensation cheques had been provided to only a few house owners.

The affected people asked the political administration to ensure early distribution of compensation so they could rebuild their houses. On the other hand, local administration claimed that payment of compensation cheques to the victims across the agency would be complete soon.

Talking to Dawn, Political Agent Mohammad Yahya Akhunzada said cheques to majority of victims had been paid. “So far 3,391 victims out of 4,239 have been given compensation cheques, while the rest would be compensated in a week,” he added.

The political agent claimed that cheques to the victims were being given near their houses. He said strict monitoring of the survey teams by the local administration resulted in decline in number of the damaged houses.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2015