BAJAUR: Workers of several political parties and social activists here on Thursday protested what they called corruption in government departments and irregularities in appointments.

The protesters announced to launch a joint movement against corruption and corrupt elements. The demonstration against corruption and irregularities in the appointments in different government departments was organised by Youth of Bajaur, an association of local youth, at Ragagan Bazaar.

Workers of various political parties except PTI, traders and representatives of local government attended the demonstration in a large number. Holding banners, the protesters chanted slogans against PTI local lawmakers and officials of various departments for allegedly promoting corruption in the district.

JUI-F district chief Maulana Abdur Rasheed, JI district emir Sardar Khan, Khar tehsil council chairman Haji Said Badsha, ANP district president Gul Afzal Khan, Youth of Bajaur chairman Rehanzeb Khan, PPP leader Aourangzeb, tribal elder Malik Daud Shah, Malik Sultanzeb and others spoke on the occasion.

They alleged that corruption had increased in the district during the incumbent PTI provincial government. They said that the people of the region did not see any relief after merger of tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They said that corruption and irregularities in almost all government departments in the region were on the rise after the merger.

The speakers alleged that besides officials, PTI local lawmakers were also involved in promoting corruption in the tribal district. They claimed that they had proofs that almost all appointments in the government departments were made against merit.

They also accused a provincial minister of illegally getting the equipment and items meant for farmers from the agriculture department. They said that growing corruption and bad governance in the district were unacceptable to them.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2022