February 1, 2002	Friday	Ziqa’ad 17, 1422

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WANA, Jan 31: Mahsud tribesmen of Shawal and adjacent areas decided at a Jirga on Thursday that they will hand over any suspected members of Taliban and Al Qaeda who might cross over to the tribal territory.

The Jirga resolved that any tribesman who provided shelter to the fleeing Taliban and Al Qaeda men would be dealt with in accordance with  the tribal traditions. Such people would be handed over to the government with those they harboured, the participants decided.

The Jirga, attended also by political administration officials, reviewed the charges that some tribesmen had sheltered Taliban and Al Qaeda leaders and provided safe passage to them. The participants said the charges had been levelled to malign the tribal people and assured that all out cooperation would be extended to the government in capturing any suspect terrorists who might infiltrate the area.

#REFORMS WELCOMED:# The Shabikhel Youth Organization has welcomed the federal government decision to introduce reforms in the Frontier Crimes Regulation and give representation to the tribal areas in the provincial assembly.

Chairman of the organization, Rehmatullah Mahsud, and other office-bearers at a meeting expressed the hope that the reforms would ensure basic human rights of the people.