LAKKI MARWAT: Five retailers were arrested in Bannu district on Friday for illegally deducting money from the financial relief fund meant for the poor and deserving people announced by the provincial government under the Ramazan Package.

Assistant commissioner Allah Nawaz Khan ordered the arrests during surprise inspection visits to various outlets on complaints that the retailers were involved in illegal deductions from the financial aid meant for the poor.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved a financial package of Rs10,000 for each deserving family.

An official said the retailers were bound to pay Rs10,000 to each beneficiary as other charges were being covered by the provincial government.

“The beneficiaries complained to the official that the retailers were deducting additional amounts from the money,” he claimed.

The official said the government paid Rs65 to retailers at each disbursement so they could not deduct an additional amount.

He asked the deserving families to point out such retailer points, where illegal deductions were being made, so prompt action could be initiated against them.

In Lakki Marwat, a swindler was arrested for withdrawing money with the help of fake thumb impression of beneficiaries of Benazir Income Support Programme.

An additional assistant commissioner along with a police party arrested the suspect, identified as Shamsullah, in Mastikhel area and seized a biometric device from him.

A case was registered against him in Azadkhel police station.

Meanwhile, Tank deputy commissioner Tanveer Khattak visited various retailer points following complaints of unauthorised deductions from the financial aid provided under the Ramazan Package on Friday.

Reports emerged that some retailers were unlawfully deducting Rs200 from each beneficiary.

Acting promptly, the deputy commissioner personally visited the retailer points, gathered information from the public and assessed the situation.

Mr Khattak assured the beneficiaries that strict action would be taken against retailers involved in unauthorised deductions.

He emphasised that all available resources would be utilised to ease the difficulties faced by the beneficiaries and ensure a smooth disbursement process.

He also issued instructions to remove any obstacles hindering the smooth distribution of financial aid.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2025