18 September 2004	Saturday	02 Shaban 1425

KHAAR, Sept 17: A jirga has approved the nominated Agency Council and said that the proposed system conformed to customs and traditions of Federally-Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

The jirga held here on Friday was attended by around 2,000 Maliks and elders of the Uthmankhel and Tarkhani tribes here on Friday. The jirga said that unlike the election for the National Assembly, the tribal areas could not afford to hold election for the Agency Council on adult franchise basis.

The speakers said that the proposed system to set up the Agency Council through the Maliks was according to the culture and traditions of tribal areas. The tribesmen would never back any system that was against tribal traditions, they said.

Following the jirga's approval, the tribal Maliks and elders initiated efforts to get their representatives elected to the nominated Agency Council. The Bajaur Agency political administration has fixed Sept 30 for the formation of the Agency Council.

As many as 40 members of the Council would be elected by tribal Maliks, while 20 would be nominated by political agent. The jirga also announced that punitive action would be taken against those elements who opposed the nominated Agency Council or tried to disrupt the process. Such elements would be punished according to tribal traditions.

MNA Sahibazada Haroon-ur-Rashid, who is affiliated with the Jamaat-i-Islami, has been raising voice against the nominated Agency Council, while MNA Maulana Ghulam, who is affiliated with the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F), has supported the political administration's move.