LANDI KOTAL, Jan 28: A tribal jirga on Saturday expressed dissatisfaction over the progress of development schemes in the remote Tirah Valley of the Khyber Agency. The jirga was held at Mehraban Kaley and was attended by elders belonging to Malikdin Khel, Qamar Khel, Sipah and Qambar Khel tribes.

The jirga alleged that development funds amounting to millions of rupees had been embezzled by government officials in the name of eradicating poppy cultivation and combating terrorism in their area.

Participants of the jirga said they allowed the deployment of army in the Tirah Valley along border with Afghanistan only after an assurance by government officials for the development of the picturesque valley.

The jirga observed that the government had failed to uphold its promises and local residents were still without proper health, education and communication facilities.