PESHAWAR: The Amazai tribe of Wana in South Waziristan Agency has accused political agent Zafarul Islam Khattak of misuse of authority and corruption in mega development projects, and demanded probe into the uplift funds and his removal from the post.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday, a group of elders of the tribe led by Malik Ajmal Khan Wazir also demanded of Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra to order probe into the matter.

He said that the tribal agency had been deprived of basic facilities for the last three years ever since Mr Khattak was posted here.

He alleged that the political agent was running affairs of the tribal region by sitting in Bannu and visited the agency once a month.

Mr Wazir said that personnel of the security forces were resolving the problems of local people, especially in the absence of the political agent.

He added that the political agent had authorised a junior clerk to run the administrative affairs in routine.

Ajmal Wazir alleged that no one was there to keep a check on the corrupt practices, particularly in the funds meant for development schemes.

He maintained that the political administration was collecting illegal taxes and ‘extortion money’ from traders and transporters in the tribal agency at the behest of the political agent.

He asked the authorities concerned to take action to stop this practice.

He urged President Mamnoon Hussain, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and KP governor to take stern action against all those involved in corruption.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2017