14 August 2004	Saturday	27 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

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WANA, Aug 13: A proposed agreement between the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe and the political administration of the South Waziristan Agency could not be signed on Friday after various sub-tribes refused to furnish cash guarantees to the administration.

The agreement was to be signed at a jirga of the Ahmadzai tribe here on Friday. However, elders of small tribes refused to deposit Rs10 million with the authorities as guarantee against attacks on security forces operating in the regions and shelter to militants.

Elders of all nine sub-tribes of the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe had expressed willingness on Thursday that each sub-tribe would furnish Rs10 million to the government. In Friday's jirga, the elders maintained that their financial position did not allow them to deposit such a huge amount, sources said.

The administration has linked removal of economic sanctions, imposed two months back against the Ahmadzai tribe, with the furnishing of cash guarantee. Under the proposed agreement, the tribesmen would not protect militants and would support action against unwanted elements in the region. The sources said that a jirga of the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe would be held in Wana on Saturday in which a final decision would be taken.

LANDMINE BLAST: Three people were injured when their pickup hit a landmine in Khamrung valley, about 30km north of Wana, on Friday. The incident took place near the Afghan border. The wounded persons have been identified as Maulvi Ahmad Hassan and Maulvi Ahsanullah, while the name of the driver could not be ascertained.

The condition of Qari Hassan, a known religious figure in South Waziristan, was stated to be critical and he was taken to Peshawar. Sources said the pickup was on its way to the Birmal district in Afghanistan to attend the convocation ceremony of a madressah, when it hit the landmine.