By Wadood Mehsud
SOUTH WAZIRISTAN UPPER: Serious irregularities and alleged political interference have emerged in the distribution of the government’s Ramadan relief package in South Waziristan Upper, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, raising concerns among local residents.
According to local sources, many deserving and impoverished families were overlooked, while names of financially stable individuals—some residing in Dera Ismail Khan, Peshawar, and even Islamabad—were included in the aid lists.
Sources indicate that the process for preparing beneficiary lists lacked transparency and was reportedly influenced by political considerations. As a result, several truly needy families were deprived of assistance, while ineligible recipients received aid.
Local elders and social activists demanded that the government and relevant authorities immediately review the lists, remove ineligible names, and ensure aid reaches deserving families to fulfill the purpose of the Ramadan package.
District administration sources confirmed that they were largely sidelined in the process. A deputy commissioner’s aide said the administration was handed pre-prepared lists with instructions to forward them to higher authorities, without involvement in identifying local beneficiaries.
According to reports, the lists were allegedly prepared by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and then sent through official channels.
Community members warned that without a transparent investigation, not only will deserving families be denied their rights, but public confidence in government welfare programs could also be undermined. They urged the provincial government and senior officials to conduct a full review, hold responsible parties accountable, and involve district authorities and local representatives in future aid distribution.
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