PESHAWAR, July 15: NWFP Governor Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai here on Saturday directed the political administration of Khyber Agency to open Bara Bazaar immediately, which was closed after clashes between two religious groups on June 10.
A handout issued here said that the governor’s directive came in response to a request by the Grand Khyber jirga held at Governor’s House on July 11.
“The step has been taken in line with the Government’s policy of reconciliation and negotiated settlement of all issues through jirgas in accordance with the tribal customs and traditions”, it said.
The political administration had also been geared to restore the authority of the elders, which was of paramount importance for maintaining durable peace in tribal areas, said the handout.
The governor expressed the hope that the elders would fulfil their commitment and come up with tangible solution of the problem that led to the closure of Bara market.
Ibrahim Shinwari adds from Karak: A grand jirga was held in Bara, Khyber Agency on Saturday which decided to open all markets and bazaars in Bara.
Political Agent of Khyber Agency, Dr Tashfeen, has announced that the administration would ensure peace in Bara along side imposition of a ban on carrying arms into the bazaar.
He said that local residents would be under obligation to deposit their arms at the entry checkpoints of the bazaar with the law enforcement personnel. He warned that violators would be dealt with under the Frontier Crime Regulation.
Dr Tashfeen said that Friday would be a weekly holiday and the administration will not allow holding of any political gatherings and processions in the vicinity of Bara bazaar.
Underscoring the role of Maliks and elders, the political agent made it clear that his administration will ensure to restore the honour and prestige of Maliks and will also uphold the ages old tribal traditions and customs.
The agency administration had to impose curfew in Bara bazaar on June 10 when an armed band of Lashkar-i-Islam, mostly comprising supporters of Mufti Munir Shakir, forcibly took control of the bazaar on the pretext of constituting a peace committee.
Apart from the officials of political administration, Senator Hamidullah Jan, MNA Maulana Khalilur Rehman, Agency councillors, ulema and a number of area elders and Maliks also attended the concluding ceremony of the jirga, which was held at the tehsil office.
