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| August 17, 2005 | Wednesday | Rajab 11, 1426 |
Governor asks tribal elders to abide by accord
PESHAWAR, Aug 16: NWFP Governor Khalilur Rehman said on Tuesday that the government would honour its agreements with Ahmad Zai Wazir tribes but called upon the other side to fulfil the conditions laid down in the mutually agreed documents.
The governor told elders of various sub-tribes here that he was deeply concerned about the repeated violations of these agreements by tribes, citing a few incidents of murder and lawlessness in the area.
“These amount to a clear violation of the agreement and prove the ineffectiveness of the influence of the elders over their communities,” he said.
Mr Rehman warned that the government would not tolerate any more violations and would not succumb to pressure or any blackmailing tactic.
Under these agreements, Ahmad Zai tribesmen are supposed to deny shelter to foreigners. The governor reminded the 17-member jirga that “they would have to expel foreign elements from their respective areas of jurisdiction”.
He underscored the need for maintaining peace in South Waziristan Agency, particularly in the Wazir area, and said it was imperative for the progress and prosperity of the region.
The governor hinted at the possibility of forming local peace committees comprising elders in order to promote peace initiatives.
Mr Rehman said that although the government was giving top priority to development in the Fata region, Waziristan would remain backward if the situation there was unfavourable to peace.
Since vast mineral resources have been found in the area, the government wants to take advantage of this natural wealth in the larger interest of the local population, he said.
The governor said foreign experts and entrepreneurs were being involved in the process of development. He said that if only copper deposits were properly utilised, the agency would become self-sufficient.
Earlier the participants of the jirga including Maulvi Abbas, Maulvi Sharif, Haji Sadiq and other elders from Yargul Khel, Gangi Khel, Ashraf Khel, Kaka Khel, Khojal Khel, Khadi Khel, Hatti Khel, Mughl Khel and Ghulam Khel sub-tribes highlighted heir grievances and assured him that they would abide by the agreements with the government. They resolved to cooperate in search operations to apprehend the foreigners. They also demanded compensation for the losses incurred during various operations.
DELEGATION OF KHYBER AGENCY: A delegation of elders of Koki Khel tribe of Khyber Agency headed by MNA Maulana Noorul Haq Qadri called on the provincial governor on Tuesday.
The delegation apprised the governor of their problems and development requirements of the respective areas. They particularly mentioned low voltage, power shutdowns, establishment of a degree college at Jamrud, Regi Lalma boundary demarcation, health facilities and development process in Tirah.
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