BAJAUR: The district administration has launched an inquiry into the allegations of corruption and embezzlement in the funds meant for the recently held village and neighbourhood councils sports activities in Bajaur tribal district, Dawn learnt on Sunday.

Sources in the district administration familiar with the matter said that the action followed growing complaints from village council chairmen and players, who had raised concerns over the alleged corruption and mismanagement in the Rs63.5 million funds allocated by the provincial government for the recently concluded sports activities in all 127 village and neighbourhood councils in the district.

The inquiry into the alleged corruption and mismanagement of funds, Rs500,000 allocated to each village/neighbourhood council through the assistant director Local Government and Rural Development Department, has been initiated on the orders of the deputy commissioner, Shahid Ali Khan, via a written notification on February 20, 2026,` added the sources.

`During routine interaction with the locals and multiple complaints viral on social media, it has been learnt that the said funds have not been utilised in accordance with the approved policy of the govt of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in certainVCs/NCs of Bajaur District,` read the notification.

The notification directed the head of the inquiry (additional deputy commissioner ( F&P) to inquire into the matter and ensure strict and timely action by the assistant director, Local Govt.

& RDD Bajaur in all those VCs /NCs where the said funds have not been utilised or misused as per approved policy of the provincial government so as to take action against the responsible.

Meanwhile, the representatives of local governments, political and social activists and players warmly welcomed launching of the inquiry into the alleged corruption and mismanagement of funds allocated for the sport activities.

Taking to Dawn they alleged that huge corruption and mismanagement had been committed in thesefundsissuedthrough the local government and rural development department Bajaur.

`The provincial government allocated Rs63.5 million for sports activities in 127 village and neighbourhood councils, Rs500,000 each, but kits were worth not more than Rs100,000 worth,` said Imtiaz Khan, a senior PTI worker, alleging massive corruption by the department officials.

The players and sports fans told Dawn that majorities of sports kits were substandard. They demanded of the provincial government to take strict action against those found guilty.