PESHAWAR: The elders of Gharbaz tribe of Mohmand Agency have demanded of the federal government to direct the concerned authorities to stop illegal digging at the marble reserves in the tribal agency, and take action against those involved in what they called illegal business.

Speaking at a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday, they said that the issue remained unresolved as the political administration always supported some influential people in that regard.

They alleged that the members of local peace committee were involved in the illegal digging at the disputed Khanka marble reserves.

They said that the committee members forcibly started excavation on the marble reserves with theconnivance of the officials of mines and mineral development department despite the cancellation of lease by the concerned authorities, which caused huge financial losses to Gharbaz tribe.

They accused the peace committee members of enjoying full support of the political administration and officials of the Fata secretariat.

The tribesmen said that the illegal auctioning of marble worth billions of rupees also inflicted huge loss on the national kitty.

The government, they demanded, should take immediate notice of the illegal occupation of marble reserves which was owned by the Gharbaz tribe.

They also asked the government to constitute a jirga to help resolve the issue.

They regretted that the government was not taking any serious action against the officials concerned to stop the illegal practice.