June 07, 2008	Saturday	Jamadi-us-Sani 02, 1429

GHALANAI, June 6: The people of the Mohmand Agency have announced to form a peace committee that will work for stopping attacks on government employees and installations.

About two days ago some miscreants had fired rockets on the agency headquarters, Ghalanai. The political administration had held the Haleemzai tribe ‘collectively’ responsible and asked them to take steps to stop such attacks in future.

A grand jirga was held in the Ghaiba Khwar area, which was attended by tribal elders from four sub-tribes of the Haleemzai tribe. It decided to set up the peace committee, which would not allow any group involved in anti-social activities in the Mohmand region.

Fifty armed volunteers from Hamzakhel, Karikhel, Walibeg and Kamali Haleemzai sub-tribes and 10 elders from each tribe will comprise the committee. Nomination of the committee members will be announced in the committee meeting on June 10.

The jirga members, however, made it clear that they did not oppose ‘jihad’ and opposed those forces which conspired against the Muslims. The jirga said they would not oppose ‘jihadi’ groups and would provide support to them.

The tribal agreed that ensuring peace in the tribal agency was the responsibility of every tribesman and no group would be allowed to operate in the areas in the jurisdiction of the Haleemzai tribe. The committee, they said, would solve people’s problem and disputes through negotiations and jirgas.

The tribesmen said the committee would also act against anti-social elements and would take steps to eliminate narcotics, thefts, robberies and vulgarity in the area. —Correspondent