BAJAUR: The tribal elders and activists of ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on Monday slammed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for not taking practical steps for development of the merged districts, and called for speedy socioeconomic uplift of the region.

They made the demand during a meeting with provincial minister for commerce and industries Abdul Kareem Khan during his visit to Bajaur tribal district.

The elders lamented that the people expected development and positive change after the former Fata’s merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but the provincial government had failed to implement the promises it had made with the people.

They claimed most of the people of Bajaur had voted for the PTI candidates in the 2019 provincial assembly elections with the hope that they would see a visible change in their lives.

The elders pointed out that Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, federal and provincial ministers had paid a number of visits to the district, but they did not announce any mega development scheme for the district.

On the occasion, minister Abdul Kareem rejected the elders’ claims the provincial government was not taking steps for tribal districts’ uplift, and said it was giving special attention to development of the merged areas.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2020