WANA, June 10: Leader of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan Baitullah Mehsud has asked government officials to resume their duties and start work on development projects in the Mehsud areas of South Waziristan tribal region.

Some pamphlets purportedly distributed by Taliban in Tank and the troubled tribal region said that government officials were allowed to initiate work on developmental schemes. “They will be provided security,” the pamphlet added.

Work on developmental schemes in all sectors had been suspended in the Mehsud area for the last three years and officials of various line departments had abandoned their duties due to lawlessness.

Federal government had allocated Rs1003.396 for South Waziristan in the annual development programme for the year 2007-08. However work on development schemes was continued only in area of Ahmadzai Wazir tribe.

Officials said that various departments had relocated their offices and staff to the adjacent Tank district. All educational institutions had been closed after security forces launched operation against militants in the area in January last.

“Government employees can visit the area and start work on development schemes in the Mehsud territory. Employees will be provided protection and Taliban are taking responsibility of their security,” said the pamphlet. If any government employee was found involved in immoral activity he would face action, it warned.