KHAR: Tribal elders, political leaders and social activists of Bajaur Agency have voiced dissatisfaction with the performance of non-governmental organisations and complained they didn’t offer employment opportunities to the educated local residents by and large.

During a news conference here the other day, they threatened to agitate against this discriminatory attitude of NGOs.

Tribal elder Mian Masood Jan and Lali Shah, ANP president Sheikh Janzada, Bajaur Traders Association president Mohammad Saleem Khan and Bajaur Talent Forum chairmen Malik Mohammad Asghar Khan alleged that performance of most NGOs working in the agency was poor with their activities limited to paperwork.

They complained that there was no system to monitor the working of NGOs, whose performance was very poor and which were blatantly violating rules, especially those for hiring staff.

The speakers said NGOs were bound by the Fata Secretariat rules to offer most jobs in their agency projects to the local educated people and even the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor had issued directives in this respect, but to no avail.

They said majority of 23 NGOs working in the agency were unwilling to employ locals for their projects.

The speakers demanded that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor and additional Fata chief secretary take serious note of the matter and ensure corrective measures.

They threatened to agitate against NGOs discriminating against local residents and said they would hold a hunger strike camp in front of parliament and in front of the Governor’s House in Peshawar if their demands were not met within a week.

Earlier, they demonstrated in front of the Bajaur Press Club carrying banners and shouting slogans against NGOs.

When contacted, Mohammad Sajid, agency coordinator of Hujra, an NGO, insisted neither non-governmental organisations were bound by rules to recruit local residents for projects nor were they in agreement with the government do so.

He said his organisation had employed four local people and more would be adjusted if they met the criterion. The agency coordinator said his NGO in the agency had 16 employees.

Meanwhile, the Bajaur Agency administration on Monday promised to promote sports activities in the region.

“Sports is not only vital for restoring normalcy in the society by curbing militancy but also it is important for promotion of harmony and tolerance among the people,” Bajaur Agency assistant political agent Mohammad Sohail Khan said during the closing ceremony of the three weeks long ‘Bajaur Peace Badminton Tournament’ here.

The event was organised by the Fata Olympic Association at Bajaur Sports Complex.

Secretary of the Fata Olympic Association Shahid Shinwari, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said sports activities were necessary for peace, prosperity and sustainable development in tribal areas.

He said holding sports events were very important for finding new talent in tribal areas. Mr Shinwari said his organisation would continue holding such events and provide the people with modern sports facilities.

A total of 40 teams from various districts and tribal agencies participated in the tournament, while the Mohmand Agency team emerged as winner after defeating the Bajaur Agency team.

Shahid Shinwari distributed prizes and trophies to winners and runners-up.