PESHAWAR, Dec 17: Law and order situation is affecting pace of development and quality of ongoing projects in South Waziristan agency. Information gathered by Dawn from different sources said that the officials of various departments operating in the region had restricted their movement to the offices due to deteriorating law and order situation.

The agency’s political authorities had issued directives to the concerned officials not to travel inside the troubled tribal belt in official vehicles for inspection of ongoing schemes, an official told Dawn by phone from Tank.

Government officials have to conceal their identity during a tour to the area.

“I have to disguise myself during my visits in the area. Other officials have been travelling in public transport to hide their identity”, he said.

Sources said that agency’s political agent could not visit Wana, due to volatile situation. He is forced to handle administrative matters while sitting in the neighbouring Tank district, which is agency’s winter headquarters.

The administration had shifted offices of various departments from the agency to Tank.

Sources in Wana said that the so-called peace deal had encouraged local militants to resume their activities and set up offices in the agency headquarters.

Officials acknowledged that lack of monitoring and inspection was affecting quality of construction work. Contractors, they said were exploiting the situation and using sub-standard material in construction of roads and buildings.