Residents of South Waziristan Lower demand accountability, improved public services and an inquiry into allegations of administrative negligence and financial irregularities.
WANA: Residents of South Waziristan Lower have raised concerns over the alleged poor performance of government departments, reported absence of departmental heads and administrative shortcomings, questioning the effectiveness of Deputy Commissioner Musrat Zaman’s oversight of public institutions.
According to local sources, some heads of government departments are allegedly managing administrative affairs from other districts instead of remaining present in South Waziristan Lower. Residents say the situation is affecting public services, departmental operations and the timely resolution of public complaints.
The concerns have also raised questions about the district administration’s ability to ensure officials’ attendance, monitor departmental performance and hold those responsible for negligence accountable.
Residents are asking why departmental heads allegedly failing to perform their duties regularly have not been summoned to explain their conduct and why effective measures have not been taken to ensure their presence. They have also questioned why a clear inquiry has not been initiated into allegations of financial dealings and irregularities.
Public representatives and social circles maintain that the deputy commissioner’s responsibilities extend beyond office meetings and official engagements. They include monitoring government departments, checking staff attendance, reviewing development projects and ensuring timely resolution of citizens’ complaints.
The issue has also brought renewed attention to complaints raised during an open public hearing chaired by Deputy Commissioner Musrat Zaman several months ago. During the session, residents reportedly voiced concerns about government departments and their staff, alleging that some officials demanded unnecessary payments for legitimate services.
Citizens had called for inquiries to identify those responsible and eliminate alleged bribery and mismanagement in government offices. However, local residents say details of any meaningful investigation or subsequent action have not been made public.
They are now seeking answers about the progress made on those complaints, whether investigations were initiated against the officials concerned and, if not, why no action has been taken.
Residents have also expressed dissatisfaction with what they describe as the limited visibility of the deputy commissioner’s field monitoring activities, saying official engagements, open-door meetings and photographic activities appear more prominent than visits to government institutions and public service facilities.
They have urged the district administration to conduct surprise inspections of government hospitals, educational institutions, tehsil offices and development projects to assess conditions on the ground.
President of the District Press Club Wana, Qismatullah Wazir, said he had repeatedly brought the performance of various government departments and public complaints to the deputy commissioner’s attention.
He particularly referred to concerns involving District Headquarters Hospital Wana, Toi Khullah Hospital and Sheikh Fatima Hospital Sholam, saying administrative problems, public complaints and concerns about medical facilities had been highlighted on several occasions.
According to Wazir, the response to these issues had not resulted in effective and satisfactory administrative action. He warned that failure to address complaints raised by citizens and reported through the media could weaken accountability within public institutions.
Meanwhile, residents and social representatives have appealed to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, the provincial chief secretary and other senior officials to order a high-level inquiry into departmental performance, officials’ attendance, alleged financial irregularities and the handling of public complaints.
Some citizens have also expressed dissatisfaction with the deputy commissioner’s performance and demanded his replacement with an experienced and proactive officer capable of improving administrative oversight and prioritising public welfare.
Residents say they want practical measures rather than verbal assurances, urging senior authorities to investigate the allegations, determine responsibility and make the findings and corrective steps public.
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