By Dr Zardad wazir
WANA: A delegation representing nine tribes of the Suleman Khel group, led by Sardar Nasir Khan, held an emergency press conference at the District Press Club Wana, expressing serious concerns over alleged land occupation in Gul Kach Zarmalan, administrative inaction and delays in legal proceedings.
Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Nasir Khan said Gul Kach Zarmalan is the ancestral area of the nine tribes of Sultan Khel, where they have been settled for a long time. He said two cases regarding the disputed land are currently under hearing in court and the community is pursuing legal and constitutional means to protect its rights.
He said a court-issued stay order exists on around 500 acres of land, but despite this, the disputed area was allegedly occupied a week ago. He added that although a formal case has been registered and protests initiated, no effective action has been taken so far by the district administration, police or security institutions.
Nasir Khan questioned why settlement activities were now being carried out on disputed land if it was truly controversial, and asked why such steps had not been taken 15 to 20 years earlier. He further alleged that notices had not yet been issued to the relevant individuals despite the registration of cases, raising concerns about the influence of powerful figures.
He warned that if their demands were not addressed and immediate action was not taken by the authorities, the group would stage a protest sit-in outside the District Press Club Wana, which could later be expanded towards Islamabad.
Another speaker, Sultan Suleman Khel, said the Sultan Khel tribe comprises nine sub-tribes, including Pani Khel, Baskhati, Kamrani, Zankai, Mir Khan Khel, Gulwal, Jalal Khel, Dinar Khel and Hasan Khan Khel. He alleged that attempts were being made to settle members of other tribes in their area.
He further claimed that despite ongoing court cases, certain influential individuals and local elders were facilitating land occupation, while court orders were not being implemented. He questioned why their area was being targeted when land was being allotted in other districts.
He also alleged that members of the tribe face difficulties in obtaining identity cards and passports and are sometimes labelled as Afghan nationals, which he described as a form of pressure and discrimination.
He added that while some settlements had been made in the past, the tribe now wanted assurances that no further encroachments or settlements would take place in their area.
At the end of the press conference, the delegation appealed to the Deputy Commissioner Lower South Waziristan Musarrat Zaman, District Police Officer Muhammad Tahir Shah, the provincial government and security institutions to take immediate notice of the matter and ensure legal action in accordance with the law.
Among those present were Malik Anwar Khan, Malik Sawai Khan, Malik Gul Shah Khan, Malik Bar Muhammad, Chairman Mir Ahmad Khan and Malik Noor Shah.
