SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Senator Dost Mohammad Mehsud has said that establishment of district headquarters in Ladha will pave the way for development of Upper South Waziristan tribal district.

He was addressing a gathering organised on Monday by Mehsud and Burki tribes at a local meeting hall. Elders, religious leaders, traders and locals attended the event in a large number.

Senator Dost Mohammad tehsil chairman Taj Malook Mehsud and Malik Irfan Uddin Burki addressed the gathering.

Senator Dost Mohammad said that district headquarters of South Waziristan Upper had been located in Tank since the British-era that hindered progress of the region. “We have decided to shift district headquarters from Tank to Ladha. We have granted the status of sub-division status to Sararogha and upgraded Kaniguram to a tehsil,” he added.

He also talked about the efforts to preserve Burki language and culture including publication of books and launching other projects aimed at keeping the language alive.

Taj Malook Mehsud said on the occasion that district headquarters would soon be officially inaugurated in Ladha despite the fact some local elders were opposing the move. He expressed gratitude to Senator Dost Mohammad and MPA Mohammad Asif Khan for their support, stressing that such projects, which benefitted the entire district, should be backed by everyone.

“We all share the common desire to see district headquarters in this area as it will benefit the entire South Waziristan Upper region,” he said.

Malik Irfan Uddin Burki also expressed his thanks to Senator Dost Mohammad and MPA Asif Khan for their role in shifting of district headquarters to Ladha. He also lauded the decision to grant status of sub-division to Sararogha and that of tehsil to Kaniguram, which had been longstanding demands of Burki tribe.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2025