TIMERGARA: Hundreds of former Dir state employees from Lower and Upper Dir on Sunday held a protest rally in Munda against the district administration and demanded of the government to allot them the land disputed between them and heirs of the Nawab of Dir.

They also announced to bring their women and children on the roads if the government and administration failed to allot the land to them. The protesters led by leaders of ex-employees of Dir state also blocked the main road briefly.

The former Dir state was merged into Pakistan in 1969. The ex-employees were allotted land for agricultural purposes in return of their services. The heirs of Nawab of Dir had filed writ petitions against the ex-employees and claimed ownership of the land.

Addressing the rally, president of ex-employees of Dir state Abdul Sattar Khan, district councillor Inayatullah and others alleged that the Lower Dir administration wanted to vacate thousands of acres and force the ex-employees to migrate from the area. They said the land in dispute had been in their possession for over half a century and the courts had also decided the case in their favour.

They claimed that then prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had allotted the land to the ex-state employees. They demanded of Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and chief secretary to take notice of the matter.

ANP MEETING: Awami National Party spokesman Zahid Khan said on Sunday that some of the politicians wanted to abolish the 18th amendment, which guaranteed provincial autonomy.

Addressing a party meeting in Muslimabad here, he said that it was the 18th amendment under which Rs7 billion were sanctioned for supply of gas to Lower Dir.

Dozens of people affiliated with other parties on this occasion announced to join ANP.

Meanwhile, Pakistan People Party, Lower Dir chapter, launched its party membership drive here on Sunday. A function in this regard was held at Timergara rest house where PPP former district president Khurshid Ali administered oath to cabinet members.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2018