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LANDI KOTAL: The farmers of Khyber Agency have demanded of the federal government to waive off their agricultural loans, awarded to them by Zarai Taraqiati Bank (ZTBL) prior to launch of Sept 2009 military operation in Bara and other areas of the tribal region.
Janat Gul, general secretary of Zamindar Union Khyber Agency, told Dawn that ZTBL not only suspended provision of more loans to farmers in Khyber Agency but also refused to waive off their previous loans despite their repeated requests.
He said that nearly 80 farmers, mostly from Bara and Jamrud tehsils, suffered heavy financial losses owing to the 30-month long military operation and flash floods in the year 2009 and 2010.
Mr Gul said that flash floods washed away agricultural lands in Jamrud and some parts of Bara while they were compelled to leave their homes and standing crops after security forces launched military operation in Sept 2009 in the tribal region.
“Military operation, natural calamities and refusal by ZTBL to lend us further loans have inflicted huge financial loses on us and most farmers are compelled to sell their household items to make both ends meet,” he said.
Mr Gul said that most of the Bara farmers were living at Jalozai camp and had no or limited sources of livelihood.
He said that federal government announced a relief package of Rs4 billion for Swat and Chitral besides waving all agricultural loans of the farmers of the areas.
But Khyber Agency was not included in relief summary prepared by federal government for the people of Bajaur and some other areas, he added.
