Elders of the Suleman Khel tribe have renewed their demand for granting tehsil status to Zarmelan and Gul Kach areas in the newly merged district of North Waziristan. During a grand jirga held in Miranshah, tribal elders expressed deep concerns over the persistent administrative neglect and lack of basic facilities in these regions.
Key Demands of the Jirga
The jirga, attended by hundreds of tribal elders, unanimously passed a resolution demanding that the government immediately declare Zarmelan and Gul Kach as separate tehsils. The elders argued that these areas have been deprived of development funds and essential services for decades.
Lack of Basic Facilities
Speakers at the jirga highlighted that residents of Zarmelan and Gul Kach face severe shortages of clean drinking water, electricity, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions. They noted that the absence of a proper administrative setup has hindered the resolution of local disputes and the delivery of government services.
Historical Context
Zarmelan and Gul Kach are strategically located along the border with Afghanistan and have historically been important trade routes. However, after the merger of tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the local population feels that their needs have been ignored by the provincial government.
Call for Immediate Action
The elders urged the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the federal government to take immediate notice of their demands. They warned that if their demands are not met, they would be forced to launch a protest movement. The jirga also announced the formation of a committee to follow up on the demand with relevant authorities.
This development comes amid growing frustration among tribal communities over the slow pace of development in the merged districts. The demand for tehsil status is seen as a crucial step towards ensuring administrative autonomy and better governance in these remote areas.
