PESHAWAR: People`s Students Federation (PSF) activists from Lower Kurram Agency on Monday accused officials of the political administration of collecting illegal tax from transporters and those constructing houses.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Monday, PSF Fata vice president Rafiullah Chamkani alleged that owing to a land dispute in Satain area of lower Kurram the locals were not allowed to construct buildings until they paid bribes to the administration of ficials.

Flanked by a number of PSF members, including Matiullah Chamkani, Syed Arshad Bacha and Shabirullah Mohmand, he demanded of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zaf ar Jhagra to order probe into the matter and take stern action against the of ficials concerned.

The PSF leader said that some two years back a ban was imposed on construction of houses, commercial buildings, roads and other infrastructure development works over a land dispute in Satain area. However, despite the ban, he said the political administration had allowed construction work by taking bribes ranging from Rs50,000 to Rs100,000.

Mr Chamkani said the people were imprisoned and tortured by the political administration if they failed to pay bribes.

Similarly, he said the political administration was collecting Rs5,000 to Rs20,000 per vehicle at Satain checkpost which was illegal. He added the drivers were harassed and put behind bars if they refused to pay the illegal tax.

Mr Chamkani said the issue had been raised with the authorities concerned on several occasions, but no action was taken against the responsible officials. He also alleged that there was no check on the people involved in drug traf ficking.

The PSF Fata leader demanded of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor, Corps Commander Peshawar, and other senior of ficials to take immediate notice of `massive corruption` by the political of ficials, otherwise the PSF workers along with area people would agitate.