DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Tribal elders from the Salman Khel tribe of South Waziristan have called on the federal and provincial governments to provide basic civic amenities, including healthcare, education, identity documentation, and infrastructure, which they say have been denied for decades.
Addressing a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club (PPC) on Friday, Sardar Nasir Salman Khel and other tribal leaders said that despite being part of Pakistan for the last 75 years, residents of the area are still deprived of national identity cards, which has prevented the formation of a tehsil and hindered administrative development.
“There are no hospitals, schools, or proper roads in our area. Our children have to travel to other provinces for education, where they face numerous challenges,” said Nasir.
He stressed that the army, which maintains a presence in the region, should also play a constructive role in the area’s development. “We are stopped and searched at every checkpoint, yet we are not provided even the basic rights guaranteed to citizens.”
He urged the government to ensure access to mobile networks, education, hospitals, roads, and tehsil status, and to replace weapons in children’s hands with books and learning opportunities.
He also demanded the establishment of business centers to boost local livelihoods.
Nasir added that the tribe guards the border region from South Waziristan to Balochistan without receiving any salary. “We consider this duty a form of worship. But in return, we ask for the state’s attention and support.”
Criticizing Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, the elders said he must shift focus from political protests to addressing the real issues of the people.
“The public gave him a mandate for peace, progress, and service—not agitation,” said Nasir.
The elders also expressed disappointment in Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi, who hails from the region.
“Despite being in power, he has turned a blind eye to our suffering. We urge him to fulfill his responsibilities and address our longstanding issues,” they said.
The elders concluded by calling for immediate attention from both provincial and federal authorities to end the ongoing neglect and bring South Waziristan into the national fold with dignity and equal rights.
