August 18, 2008	Monday	Sha'aban 15, 1429

BATKHELA, Aug 17: Participants of a jirga comprising local leaders of various political parties have asked the militant groups and government to stop bloodshed in Bajaur Agency and Swat district and resolve the issue through dialogue.

The jirga called upon the government and Taliban to immediately stop the killing of innocent people in Bajaur and Swat. “Both Taliban and the government are responsible for the mass exodus from Bajaur tribal region and Swat valley,” participants of the jirga said.

They sought immediate halt to the ongoing clashes between the security forces and local Taliban in the troubled spots. They said that use of force was no solution to problems and all issues should be resolved on the negotiating table.

They asked both government and Taliban to respect and honour the accords inked between them, adding both the sides should announce ceasefire forthwith to retrieve the dead bodies and shift injured persons to hospitals.

They agreed to remain in touch with both the federal and provincial governments to apprise them of the repercussions of mass exodus from Bajaur. The participants of the jirga resolved to join hands for maintaining peace and harmony in the area. The jirga also decided to set up peace committees in each union council to quell militancy and control crime.

The jirga ruled out any military operation in Malakand region, saying all out cooperation would be extended to the government to maintain peace in the area. Entry of militants to the region would be resisted at all costs, participants of the jirga vowed.

They also called upon the local administration to desist from imposing undeclared curfew in Malakand region, which according to them was causing heavy financial losses to the already poverty-stricken people of the area. They said entry of Taliban or military forces would not be acceptable to the people of the area.

The jirga held at the residence of Senator Sahibzada Khalid Jan in Skhakot, was attended by local leaders of different political parties including JUI’s Senator Sahibzada Khalid Jan, Maulana Hameedulah Rughani, PPP-P’s MPA Sayed Ali Shah Bacha, former MPAs Jehangir Khan, Ghani Mohammad Khan and Raziq Jan, ANP provincial vice president Nek Amal Khan, Mohammad Aziz Kaka, JI leader Amir Rizwanullah, PML-N’s Isal Khan, Azam Khan, PMAP district president Hameed Khan, MKP’s Jamroz Khan and Dargai Press Club president Zahir Shah.

Abdur Rehman Abid adds from Buner: A peace jirga of Gadezai tehsil has demanded immediate halt to military operation in Bajaur, Swat and other troubled areas and enforcement of Sharia in Malakand and Buner at the earliest.

The jirga of local elders and leaders of different political parties was held at Gadazai tehsil on Sunday with Haji Sardar Khan of ANP in the chair. The jirga was also attended by local leaders of political, religious parties and representatives of non-governmental organisations.

The participants of the jirga said those elements who were trying to vitiate peaceful atmosphere of Buner district would be dealt with iron hand. They also decided to destroy the houses of those locals who were harboring or giving shelter militants. Such people would be also expelled from the district, they added.

They said they had respect for religious Taliban and ulema but the bloodshed and violence in the grab of Taliban could not be tolerated. They paid homage to the people of Shalbandi for expelling militants from their area.

The said that entry of Taliban militants or the deployment of security forces in the district would be opposed, adding they were capable of defending themselves and their property. They also formed a peace committee to maintain peace in the area.

They said that despite clear verdict of the Supreme Court regarding the imposition of Sharia in Malakand, it was not introduced and militants were taking disadvantage of the situation.

They also demanded compensation for the families of policemen killed in militant attacks.

The jirga was addressed among others by ANP leader Afsar Khan, Mian Sayed Laiaq Bacha, JI district chief Mohammad Hanif, PML-Q local president Jehanber Khan, Malakpur nazim Riaz Khan, Haji Jehanzeb Khan, Syed Wajid , Bakhtzada and Maulana Siraj.