KHAR: The political authorities on Sunday lifted the decades-long unofficial ban on construction of new houses in Bajaur Agency`s Salarzai tehsil here.

The development came following talks between the senior officials of the administration and a delegation comprising elders and landlords of Salarzai.

Speaking on the occasion, assistant political agent Arif Khan Yousafazi said the ban was illegal and clear violation of basic rights of the local residents. He said complete writ of the government had been established in the agency and that he would not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands by imposing ban on construction of houses in the region.

Ban on construction ofhousesin Salarzai by some influential people was a matter of serious concern for the administration as itwas only aimed at keeping the poor residents deprived of building shelters for them.

Mr Yousafzai held the elders and landlords responsible for imposing ban on construction of new houses, and directed them to ink an agreement with the administration regarding lifting of ban in their respective areas.

After lengthy discussions, the elders and the landlords Inked an agreement with the administration about lifting of the ban.

According to the agreement, every resident of the entire Salarzai tehsil has the right to construct houses on their ancestral land or on those pieces of land which they have purchased from the local landlords.

As per the agreement, the lifting of the ban would go into effect from Tuesday (Aug 15). However, according to the agreement the disputed lands won`t be used for the purpose. The elders assured that they would take action against those who were found violating the agreement.