SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: The administrations of Lower South Waziristan and Upper South Waziristan have extended for another month the ban on the sale, transportation and storage of urea fertiliser, citing security concerns and the possibility of its use in the preparation of explosive material.

Separate notifications were issued by the two district administrations the other day, extending the restrictions imposed under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The restrictions will remain in force from August 26 to September 25, 2026.

In Lower South Waziristan, deputy commissioner Musarrat Zaman issued the notification, prohibiting the purchase, sale, transportation and storage of urea fertiliser across the district during the specified period.

A separate notification was issued by Upper South Waziristan deputy commissioner Irfan Ali, imposing similar restrictions throughout the district.

According to the notifications, the ban would apply to all individuals, fertiliser dealers, traders, transporters and other people associated with the business and movement of urea fertiliser.

The administrations said the decision had been taken in view of information received through different sources regarding the unauthorised transportation of urea fertiliser from settled districts to unauthorised dealers and other locations.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2026