PESHAWAR The Aman Tehrik, an organisation of political activists, traders, lawyers and students, has expressed dissatisfaction over the ongoing military operation in the Malakand division and said even 'third rank' militant leaders had not been arrested or killed during the offensive.
Speaking at a joint press conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Friday, Aman Tehrik convener Idress Kamal, Mriam Bibib, Aimal Khattak, Tariq Afghan and Dr Said Alam Mehsud opposed establishment of new garrisons in Swat and Dir districts fearing it would aggravate the situation in the region.
They said security forces had failed to nab or kill top militant leaders in Malakand, Mohmand, Bajaur and Waziristan agencies and in Janikhel, Frontier Region of Bannu.
They also claimed that no operation was being conducted in the Janikhel area, terming it only a drama.
The militants, according to them, had left the areas where security forces were carrying out a 'nominal' operation.
They said terrorist leaders were still safe and their sanctuaries were intact in Swat and Buner.
They said instead of eliminating militancy, the government had engaged itself in setting up two new cantonments in Swat and Buner.
They contradicted the government claim about the clearance of 90 per cent areas in Swat and Buner. They said the government should have ensured the presence of police, health and education staff in the valley before starting the return process of displaced people.
They feared that militants were in a position to stage a comeback, adding If any mishap occurs, the provincial and federal governments will be responsible for it.
They alleged that step-motherly treatment was being meted out to displaced tribesmen from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, particularly Waziristan.
They claimed that Mehsud tribesmen were even being arrested in Tank and Dera Ismail Khan under the Frontier Crimes Regulations. They condemned the arrest of the Mehsud people and urged the government to halt this practice.
They called upon the NWFP government to ensure transparency in distribution of relief funds among the displaced people of the Malakand region.
They proposed that ministers and lawmakers from Swat, Buner and Dir should accompany the caravans of IDPs on their journey back home.
APP adds NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti has said his government will fulfil its responsibilities in implementation of the Nizam-i-Adl Regulation, establishment of administrative and services setup, permanent repatriation of the affected people and reconstruction of the war-torn infrastructure.
He was speaking at a representative jirga from Swat at Chief Minister's House on Friday. Provincial ANP president Afrasyab Khattak presided over the jirga.
The chief minister said those disturbing peace in Swat again would be dealt with strictly, adding effective steps had been taken for security of the lives and properties of people.
He said the number of tehsils in Swat had been increased from three to seven and establishment of a cantonment had been approved in the district.
He said a jirga of local elders would nominate members for community police to be appointed for the area. He gave an assurance that the process would be transparent and free of political interference.
All available resources, Mr Hoti said, would be utilised for reconstruction of the Malakand division and rehabilitation of the affected people.
He said Nizam-i-Adl was a longstanding demand of the people of Malakand, which would be fulfilled at any cost.
All cases in Malakand, he said, would be heard under the Nizam-i-Adl Regulation within the given timeframe.
The facility of the Final Appellate Court would also be provided in the Malakand division, he added. Members of the jirga assured the chief minister to fully support the government's steps for restoration of peace in the area.
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