SWABI, Feb 18: Given tehsil status in 2006, Topi still lacks the needed government offices, health and sanitation facilities and a sports ground for people of the area.

The residents believe that facilities are not being provided to them by the present rulers, as Topi was given tehsil status by then Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal government and former minister Maulana Fazal Ali Haqqani had played a key role in this regard.

When contacted, Mr Haqqani said that tehsil status for Topi was an important announcement made by former chief minister Akram Durrani, but successive governments and parliamentarians did nothing for the well-being of dwellers this area of Swabi district, including Gadoon Amazai and surrounding villages.

The residents said that people of Gadoon mountainous belt were still visiting government offices and local courts at Shahmansoor judicial complex, because such facilities had not been provided in Topi.

Sheraz Khan of Topi city said that if offices were established in Topi it would save time and money of the people, because they would not be needed to go out of tehsil for small chores.

One Amjad Ali said that the ruling Awami National Party leadership had focused on the development of Razaar tehsil.

“The ANP has given tehsil status to Razaar and its leadership has political stakes there,” he said. However, the area people say that Topi was given tehsil status much before Razaar, and it should be given priority in provision of facilities.

One Sirajur Rehman said that Topi civil hospital lacked proper infrastructure and equipment and the X-ray machine provided to the hospital had been out of order from the day one of its installation.

The residents of the area complained that district food officers had not been visiting Topi tehsil to curb overcharging and sale of substandard food items by local traders.

Besides, there is no playground for the youth of Topi. “Some of the youngsters usually visit playgrounds at Tarbela Dam residential colonies for continuing sports activities by spending around Rs50 in fare daily,” said Kashif Khan.