Author: Dr Zardad Wazir

By Dr Zardad Wazir SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: A five-day sit-in in the Azam Warsak area of South Waziristan ended after successful negotiations between protesters and government officials, with authorities seeking time to implement agreed measures. The protest, which had disrupted traffic and movement across the region, was called off after both sides agreed to allow the administration five days to complete security and safety arrangements. Officials said the road would be secured during this period, after which at least a five-yard passage would be opened for public use. Under the agreement, diesel tankers and buses belonging to Ummah Children Academy Wana…

By Dr. Zardad Wazir SOUTH WAZIRISTAN: Jamaat-e-Islami leaders in South Waziristan have expressed support for an ongoing sit-in in Azam Warsak, calling on authorities to immediately reopen blocked roads across Lower South Waziristan. Addressing a press conference, district amir Asadullah Bheer said residents, particularly in Azam Warsak in Tehsil Birmal, were facing severe hardship due to prolonged road closures and a worsening security situation. He said markets had become deserted and several homes abandoned amid frequent incidents of bomb blasts, targeted killings and daily gunfire, which had created an atmosphere of fear among residents. Bheer added that the closure of…

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…