LANDI KOTAL: The participants of a multi-party conference in Bara tehsil of Khyber tribal district the other day called for provision of all basic facilities to the returning families, conducting of an impartial damage assessment survey in the militancy-affected areas, ensuring provision of drinking water and ending the prolonged power loadshedding in most parts of Bara.

MNA Iqbal Afridi had convened the conference that was attended by representatives of various political parties, students, traders and tribal elders.

Mr Afridi gave a detailed briefing about the funds allocated for the development and rehabilitation of Bara and urged the participants to gave suggestions about the judicious and expeditious utilisation of amount.

The conference was told that all the development funds would be utilised transparently in the light of their recommendations with specific quota for every tribe of Bara.

Want end to prolonged power loadshedding

The conference through a resolution demanded rebuilding of all the damaged schools and health centres in Bara and Tirah alongside ensuring provision of all the basic facilities to people in Sipah and Rajgal areas prior to return of displaced families.

The participants of the conference expressed their displeasure over the repeated delay in the survey of damaged houses and compensation to the affected families.

The conference formed a committee with MNA Iqbal Afridi as its head to hold meetings with prime minister, governor and chief minister to highlight the problems faced by the people of Bara.

Meanwhile, Peshawar Commissioner Shahab Ali Shah has formed various committees for damage assessment surveys in different parts of Bara.

According to a notification, the responsibility of conducting the survey has been assigned to various officials of Khyber district administration.

The notification said that one tribal elder each from Sipah, Akkakhel, Shalobar-Tirah, Bar Qambarkhel-Tirah and Zakhakhel was included in the survey teams.

ELDERS: The elders of Khugakhel tribe in Landi Kotal on Monday expressed reservations over chanting of derogatory slogans against security forces and local administration during a protest demonstration the other day.

Addressing a press conference at Landi Kotal Press Club, the Khugakhel elders alleged that some anti-state elements were behind the Sunday’s protest as they were trying to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of the region.

Demanding action against such elements, they alleged that the demonstrators used innocent tribal people for their personal designs in the name of raising their voice against excessive loadshedding.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2019