Adam Khan Wazir Wana
The division of South Waziristan into two districts, Upper Waziristan and Lower Waziristan, approved by the previous provincial government cabinet of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on April 12, 2022, has yet to fully materialize, despite an official notification issued on September 13, 2022. This delay has prompted growing concerns among the public, leading ANP leader Noorzaman Wazir and tribal elders to demand the expeditious completion of the bifurcation process.
ANP senior leader Ayaz Wazir lamented the current situation, stating that although South Waziristan was divided into two districts, the line department offices for Lower South Waziristan remain situated in Tank district. He emphasized that the process will only be meaningful when all department offices of Lower South Waziristan are relocated to Wana, ensuring easy access for the people.
Sources report that some department heads have been appointed in Lower South Waziristan, but their effectiveness is hampered by the lack of proper offices. Additionally, the staff of the District Account Office is situated 160 kilometers away in Tank district, resulting in a complete standstill in the official work of Lower South Waziristan district.
Aman Ullah Wazir, the local president of the Pakistan People’s Party, highlighted the growing challenges faced by the common people due to this delay, with problems escalating daily. He pointed out that while a Deputy Commissioner has been appointed for Lower South Waziristan, they lack access to development funds and other necessary resources, a situation mirrored by other departments.
