NORTH WAZIRISTAN: Residents have alleged massive irregularities in the distribution of tunnel farming facilities in North Waziristan tribal district.

They insisted that around 30 such facilities, allocated for farmers in Miramshah subdivision here under the agriculture department’s support programme, had allegedly “disappeared”.

The residents said the agricultural facilities were intended to help farmers adopt modern farming techniques, boost vegetable and crop production, and bring barren land under cultivation.

Though official documents reportedly show that the facilities were fully distributed, residents from several villages claim that not a single deserving farmer was the beneficiary.

Farmers accused officials of using forged records and fictitious beneficiary lists to take away facilities meant for poor growers.

“We hoped this government support would improve the future of our children but influential people looted everything, leaving poor farmers empty-handed,” a grower told Dawn.

He said each tunnel facility cost between Rs1.5 million and Rs2 million, far beyond the reach of ordinary farmers.

Sources claimed that some politically influential individuals distributed the tunnels to their close associates before their sale, while some agriculture officials prepared fake records to conceal the fraud.

Local elder Malik Adnan complained that the rights of poor farmers have been “politically hijacked” through irregularities.

He demanded strict action against all those involved in the matter as well as the recovery of the goods.

Officials of the agriculture department said the allegations were being examined.

They said action would be taken if irregularities were proven. However, no formal inquiry has yet been announced.

Residents and farmer organisations demanded immediate action to restore public confidence and protect future development projects from political interference and misuse of funds.

Meanwhile, a senior district administration official acknowledged corruption of “millions of rupees” and said the investigation was under way.

“We will complete the probe and submit a report to authorities,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2026