KHAR: The residents of Barang tehsil of Bajaur tribal district on Saturday slammed the local administration for ignoring the area in the development schemes, and called for taking tangible steps for uplift of the backward region.

They expressed their concern during an open kutchery arranged by the district administration in Memola area, the main town of the tehsil.

Tribal elders, religious leaders and people from different walks of life attended the gathering.

Senior officials of the district administration and line departments were present on the occasion to listen to and redress the people`s problems.

The elders and religious leaders said most parts of Barang consisted of mountains were the inhabitants f aced lack of basic amenities.

They said of ficials of the then political administration had promised to allocate special package for the region`s development, but they did not keep word.

They pointed out the locals used to cultivate poppy across the tehsil in the past, but they stopped cultivating the crop on the promise of being provided with alternative sources of income, but to no avail.

The elders informed the officials about the poor healthcare delivery, decaying education standards, dilapidated roads, and absence of water supply schemes and electricity in the region. They asked the officials to allocate special package for development of the region.

On the occasion, assistant commissioner Anwarul Haq and other officials assured the elders that provision of facilities to the backward areas was the priority of the district administration. Correspondent