BAJAUR: Residents of the Ghakhi area in Lowi Mamund tehsil on Sunday expressed grave concern over delay in issuance of parts of the compensation package and warned they would boycott the upcoming anti-polio drive if the final installment of financial assistance for internally displaced persons was not released by January 30.

They made the announcement during a meeting held in the locality which was attended a number of people, including elders, political and social activists.

The participants of the melting pointed out that Ghakhi area (village council 47) was among those localities of Lowi Mamund tehsil whose residents were displaced during last year’s anti-militant operation.

It was noted in the meeting that like the residents of other affected areas, they have received the first three installments of the provincial government’s sponsored compensation package several months ago.

However, they alleged that the area’s displaced residents had yet to receive the fourth and final instalment of Rs25,000/- for each displaced family.

They claimed that the residents of the Ghakhi area were the only ones in the entire Lowi Mamund tehsil yet to receive the said amount.

Calling the delay a matter of disappointment and discrimination against the residents of the Ghakhi area, the meeting warned that they would boycott the upcoming anti-polio drive if the amount was not paid by January 30.

Meanwhile, PTI local MPA Dr Hamidur Rehman on Sunday said that efforts were underway to provide all displaced residents of the region with the full payment of the provincial government’s financial relief package.

In a statement issued on his official Facebook page, Mr Rehman, whose constituency includes the entire Lowi Mamund and War Mamund tehsils, claimed that he was in close contact with the PDMA (Provincial Disaster Management Authority) officials to ensure the early release of the remaining portions of the compensation package for IDPs from Ghakhi and several other villages.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2026