The petrol pumps owners, whose business were destroyed during military operation in North Waziristan district warned that they will shut down their pumps and march to Islamabad, if the government didn't announce compensation for them till June 20. They said that protest will continue till acceptance of their demand.
Speaking a news conference at Peshawar Press Club, President North Waziristan Petrol Pumps Association, Raqib Gul said that despite the assurance by federal government, the petrol pumps owners were still deprived from compensation for their losses in prolonged military operations, amounting approximately Rs560.5 milion. He informed that a total of 56 petrol pumps were destroyed in the North Waziristan district.
The Association president said that the issues of compensation amount were raised again and gain but gone vain and staged protest in federal capital. After which, the government's high-ups held negotiations with protesting pump owners, and then they ended their protest after assurance to accept their demands. But, he regretted that no practical measures were taken to compensate the affected businesses.
Flanked by the traders' body office bearers, Rafi-ud-din, Sana Ullah and Gul Bahadur and others, Raqib Gul said that 69 petrol pumps had damaged in North Waziristan that was caused approximately Rs560.5 million loss to traders.
He said that they had timely shared losses data with government to early revive the militancy-hit businesses in the tribal district. But, he expressed anguish over using delaying tactics by government and relevant authorities in announcement of compensation package for them.
Later, he said that they had informed that the data submitted for damages was cleared by military and the case had been handed over to every relevant authority. So, he appealed the Prime Minister, Imran Khan to consider their long-standing demand by fulfilling promises and take serious steps for compensation to the affected traders of North Waziristan.