The deteriorating law and order situation, lack of basic facilities, and economic distress in both districts of South Waziristan (Upper and Lower) have raised questions about the performance of elected public representatives.
Local political and social leaders have strongly criticized the current MNAs and MPAs, and said that instead of resolving the problems of the constituency, the representatives have become distant from the public.
According to local sources, there has been an alarming increase in the incidents of target killing, extortion, and kidnapping for ransom in South Waziristan in recent months.
Political leaders said that public forums like “Aman Pasun” are protesting on the streets, but the representatives sitting in the assemblies have failed to formulate any concrete policy to establish law and order. The people said, “We need life security before development projects, which the current leadership seems to have failed to provide.”
The education and health infrastructure in remote areas of South Waziristan is completely paralyzed. Dozens of schools are non-functional, while Basic Health Units (BHUs) are missing staff and medicines.
The suspension of mobile and internet services has cut off the youth here from the world in the modern era, which has not seen any serious pressure from elected representatives.
Political leaders have expressed concern that thousands of families are being forced to starve due to obstacles in trade activities at the Pak-Afghan border Angor Adda. Let alone creating new employment opportunities, existing sources of employment are also shrinking. The local business community says that elected representatives have not raised any effective voice at the federal and provincial levels to facilitate trade at the border.
The perception is taking root in public circles that the priorities of elected representatives include only political survival rather than the prosperity of the people. Political analysts said that if public grievances were not addressed and urgent steps were not taken for sustainable development, the ongoing unrest in the area could take the form of a major public movement.
