July 01, 2008	Tuesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 26, 1429

ISLAMABAD, June 30: Legislators from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) on Monday expressed concern over the operation launched in Bara and the Khyber Agency and urged the government to immediately stop it.

At a meeting, the legislators discussed the operation and called for a negotiated settlement, instead of using force against “our own people”.

The operation was jointly opposed by eight tribal MNAs, including federal minister Hamidullah Jan Afridi, Malik Bilal Rehman (Mohmand Agency), Sajjid Hussain Turi (Kurram), Munir Khan Orakzai (Orakzai), Mohammad Jawad Hussain (Lower Orakzai), Mohammad Kamran Khan (North Wazirsitan), Zafar Baig Bhattani (South Waziristan), Eng Shaukatullah (Bajaur)

The parliamentary leader of Fata MNAs, Mr Munir Orakzai, criticised the government for what he termed its failure to take Fata lawmakers into confidence before initiating the operation.

Talking to journalists after the meeting, Mr Orakzai said: “We represent the people of Fata … Instead of initiating an operation using security forces, the government should have taken us on board for resolving issues (in our areas) in a peaceful manner.”

He said that innocent people were being blamed for acts they did not commit, and alleged that they were being killed to appease foreign forces.

The tribal lawmakers also criticised the NWFP government and said that if it had concerns about the area it should have consulted them first. “The operation should have been the last option only if the parliamentarians failed to resolve the issues.”

They said that bracketing Lashkar-i-Islam with the Taliban was ‘totally unjustified’. “The Lashkar had only acted against local criminal elements.”

They said that according to media reports, Lashkar chief Mangal Bagh, had reiterated that he was “a Pakistani” and urged his supporters not to attack security personnel.

Mr Orakzai said that the Bara operation had created a sense of insecurity among the local people and the situation might deteriorate.

He said that Fata MNAs would soon meet the prime minister to tell him that Fata people were being unjustly treated.

Minister Hamidullah Jan Afridi said the operation would not solve any problem. “All issues should be resolved through talks.”

He said that the NWFP government should convey its concerns to elected representatives from the tribal areas who would resolve the issue in a peaceful manner.