Non-payment of compensation: Owners of militancy-hit petrol pumps plan march to Islamabad

The militancy affected petrol pumps owners of North Waziristan have announced to shut their pumps today (Saturday) in the entire tribal district and march to Islamabad due to delay in announcement of compensation package for them. The announcement was made by All North Waziristan Petroleum Association president Malik Raqeeb Gul, flanked by ANWPA officer bearers and pump owners Haji Rafiuddin, Malik Asad Khan, Malik Saeed Noor Khan and others, while addressing a news conference at Peshawar Press Club on Friday.
He said that Islamabad administration and police allowed them for holding 'sit-in' and protest in the federal capital. He also announced to complete boycott from participating in the upcoming elections for provincial assembly seats in the tribal district.
Malik Raqeeb Gul said that the civilian authorities had always shown commitment to compensate to land owners, houses, and petrol pumps for damages in the military operations. However, he regretted that no concrete measures were taken in this regard. He said it was dire need of hour to issue a special attention and grant for the affected owners of petrol pumps.
He said the affected pump owners had postponed their protest plan on June 20 after assurance of district administration of North Waziristan to take up the case with authorities concerned and will devise a proper strategy to compensate over destroying of petrol pumps in the military operations.
The association president informed that a total of 69 petrol pumps in North Waziristan Agency (NWA), which had completely destroyed in the security forces operation in the tribal region, which was yet not compensated.
He said the owners had lost millions of rupees due damaged of heavy expensive machines and refilling stations. He said the tribal agency is being faced with severe financial crisis after the successful conduct of a military operation in the region.
He maintained that the businesses had completely damaged, while unemployment was also increased since the winding up of security forces action in the tribal agency.
Malik Rafiuddin said the economic stability of tribal people is vital for the terrorism-free and peaceful Waziristan Agency. He said the no tangible step was taken to support the militancy-hit businesspersons of the tribal region.