KOHAT, Feb 28: The Kohat Qaumi Tehrik has criticised provincial governor and ministers from Kohat for failing to ensure solution to the locals’ socioeconomic problems.

During a function here, KQT president Ameer Khan Afridi complained of the shifting of Pakistan State Oil depot outside Kohat, dilapidated condition of local roads, highways and school buildings, rampant corruption in government departments, and illegal presence of displaced Fata people and influx of Afghan refugees in the town.

Accompanied by former provincial minister Iftikharuddin Khattak, Mr Afridi said ministers and governor, who belonged to Kohat district, had miserably failed to play their due role in resolving people’s problems.

He demanded early end to people’s socioeconomic problems besides establishment of universities in Karak and Hangu.

The KQT president said Kohat’s natural resources were being ‘systematically’ plundered to keep the key region backward.

He said establishment of schools and industrial units not use of force could fast improve law and order situation in the region.

He also complained that 75 per cent of rural population of Kohat had no supply of drinking water.

Mr Afridi said if proposed oil refinery was not built in Kohat, which was rich in gas and oil, without delay, KQT would agitate for it.

Meanwhile, director of a nongovernmental organisation taking care of displaced tribesmen, Ziaullah Bangash, told Dawn that outsiders had vastly outnumbered local drivers, labourers and shopkeepers in the region.

He complained of drugs and arms smuggling from adjacent Darra Adamkhel and Orakzai Agency.