KHAR: The local tribesmen have said that four posts of political tehsildar have been lying vacant in Bajaur Agency.

The residents of Nawagai, Salarzai, Mamond and Khar tehsils said that the subdivisions were without political tehsildars. They said that political tehsildar was administrative head of the area and absence of such officials caused numerous problems to them.

They said that they could not get domicile certificates, Computerised National Identity Cards, passports and other essential documents in the absence of political tehsildar.

The residents of Mamond tehisl claimed that it was for the first time in the history of agency that post of the political tehsildar in their subdivision had been lying vacant for more than four months.

They said that absence of political tehsildar in their subdivision had not only affected official work but also created hurdles to disposing of pending cases among the tribesmen in the region.

They criticised the senior officials of the political administration for not filling the vacant post of political tehsildar in the region.

They said that they had brought the issue into the notices of high-ups many times but in vain.

An official of the local administration, when contacted, said that the administration was concerned over the vacant key pots.

He said that post in Mamond tehsil had been lying vacant since September 17, 2017 after the killing of political tehsildar Fawad Ali Shah in a roadside bomb blast in the region.

He said that pots of political tehsildar in Khar and Salarzai tehisls had been lying vacant since December after the officials were transferred from the agency.

However, the official claimed that posts of political tehsildar in Khar and Salarzai would be filled soon as new officials had been appointed on the posts.

He said that political tehsildars in Khar and Salarzai would assume charge soon.

He added that administration was in contact with Fata Secretariat to fill the post of political tehsildar in Mamond.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2018