Author: Dr Zardad Wazir

By Dr Zardad Wazir WANA: Funeral prayers for two South Waziristan Police officers, Constable Mirza Naeem and Head Constable Gul Shah, who were martyred in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Wana Bazaar, were offered at the Wana Police Lines on Sunday. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Commissioner Lower South Waziristan Musarat Zaman, Colonel Commandant Tahir, ADC Khalid Burki, and Assistant Commissioner Rizwan, along with senior officials from the police, security forces, and district administration. Participants paid tribute to the martyrs for their sacrifice and praised their dedicated service for the peace and stability of the region. Following…

By Dr Zardad Wazir WANA: Farmers and local elders in South Waziristan have accused the agriculture department of large-scale corruption, alleging that greenhouses meant for growers were sold privately and government tractors had gone missing, and called for a judicial inquiry into the matter. At a press interaction, a group led by Malik Mumtaz Wazir, councillors’ alliance chairman Ahmad Wazir and Kamal Wazir said multi-million rupee schemes had failed to benefit local cultivators despite agriculture being the backbone of the region’s economy. They claimed that greenhouse tunnels provided under official projects were not distributed among farmers, while tractors allocated for…

By Dr Zardad Wazir WANA: Tribal communities in Wana are confronting rising hardships as local tailors sharply increased rates for Eid clothing ahead of Ramadan, sparking concern among residents. The president of the Awami National Party, Yasin Wazir, said the actual cost of stitching a suit was around Rs300, but tailors were charging up to Rs1,500 per outfit. He described the practice as “sheer injustice and exploitation,” noting that many residents already struggle to afford basic meals due to unemployment and inflation. Wazir called on the district administration to intervene, urging the Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, and District Police Officer…

By Dr Zardad Wazir WANA: A delegation of the District Press Club Wana met the district police officer of Lower South Waziristan, Mohammad Tahir Shah Wazir, in a bid to strengthen cooperation between the police and the media and address public concerns more effectively. The meeting, led by the press club president, Qismatullah Wazir, focused on building a collaborative relationship to improve transparency, public welfare and regional stability. Tahir Shah praised journalists for their role in highlighting social issues and said the police recognised the media as a key pillar of society. He assured the delegation that journalists would be…

By Zardad Wazir WANA: Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed across Lower and Upper South Waziristan with enthusiasm, patriotism and a strong sense of national unity, as rallies and events were organised to reaffirm support for the Kashmiri people’s struggle for freedom. In both districts, government officials, police officers, tribal elders, civil society representatives, journalists and large numbers of citizens took part to express unwavering solidarity with Kashmiris. In Wana, the headquarters of Lower South Waziristan, an organised rally was held in front of the Wana Police Lines under the auspices of the district administration and police. The rally was led…

By Zardar Wazir LAKKI MARWAT: In Lakki Marwat, an alleged encounter between police and armed robbers near Dalokhel Phatak resulted in the deaths of three suspects. According to police spokespersons, the confrontation followed an exchange of gunfire, with the deceased identified as Kaleemullah, Khan Bahadur, and Adnan. Authorities said the men hailed from Tajha Zai and Gundi Khan Khel in Lakki Marwat and were wanted in multiple cases, including armed robbery on a passenger bus. Weapons were recovered from the scene, police added. Officials confirmed that operations to maintain law and order in the area remain ongoing, and further investigations…

By Zardad Wazir ANA: Senior district officials in Lower South Waziristan have warned government departments against absenteeism, inefficiency and poor public service after conducting unannounced joint inspections of key offices in Wana. Deputy Commissioner Nasir Zaman and District Police Officer Mohammad Tahir Shah Wazir carried out surprise visits to several line departments on Tuesday, with the stated aim of monitoring staff attendance, reviewing performance and assessing whether basic facilities were being provided to citizens, particularly those travelling from remote areas of the district. During the inspections, the deputy commissioner expressed strong dissatisfaction over the absence of staff members and the…

By Zardar Wazir TORKHAM: Customs officials at the Torkham border foiled a significant arms smuggling attempt after discovering a large cache of ammunition during a routine inspection, authorities said. The seizure took place when a truck arriving from Afghanistan was searched and several hidden compartments were found to contain rounds and magazines, highlighting the ongoing risks of illicit arms trafficking along the porous border. Officials noted that the vehicles involved in the smuggling were reportedly being used to transport the belongings of Afghan families living illegally in Pakistan. These trucks typically return empty after delivering goods, making them a favored…

By Zardad Wazir WANA: A high-stakes press conference was held at the District Press Club in Wana to raise concerns over vacant positions in the Elementary and Secondary Education Department. The briefing was attended by candidates and representatives, including Nasrullah Khan, Ehtesham Wazir, Ashraf Ali, and Danyal. Speakers voiced alarm that the Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has yet to issue roll number slips for candidates from Lower South Waziristan, despite the computer-based screening test being scheduled for 18 January. The delay has left hundreds of hopefuls in uncertainty. ETEA had initially conducted a paper-based screening test,…

By Zardad Wazir SOUTH WAZIRSTAN: The District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) in Wana, Lower South Waziristan, continues to operate without an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), putting the lives of critically ill patients at serious risk. Without this essential facility, emergency cases are routinely referred to hospitals in Dera Ismail Khan, Peshawar, and Multan. These long journeys often prove fatal. Hospitals in those cities frequently have no available beds, leading to the tragic loss of lives. In a statement to Metro Morning, social activist Adnan Wazir expressed deep concern over the situation. He said the lack of an ICU in a remote…