MIRAMSHAH, Aug 27: Ruling out any possibility of military operation in North Waziristan Agency, the political administration has urged tribal people to stop vacating their houses and migrating to other places.

Political Agent Siraj Ahmed Khan assured members of a tribal jirga here at a meeting at his office on Monday that there was no chance of military operation in Waziristan. The meeting was also attended by Malak Jan Faraz Khan, Malak Rais Khan, Maulvi Ahmedullah and Malak Sarfaraz Khan.

The political agent termed reports about possible military operation in the region mere rumours. He urged tribal people not to pay heed to such rumours.

Mr Khan said that government would keep in mind ground realities before taking such a decision. He denied receiving any directives from the government in that regard and ruled out any possibility of operation in the near future.

The political agent urged Waziristan Shura (council) to honour the peace accord, inked with the government. He added that tribal elders, ulema and general public should play their due role in maintaining peace in their respective areas under the collective responsibility clause of Frontier Crimes Regulation.

Mr Khan told journalists after the meeting that members of tribal jirga were in constant contact with ‘annoyed’ groups. He hoped that they would be persuaded soon to restart polio campaign in the tribal region to protect thousands of children from the disease. He also called upon journalists to play their due role in restoration of peace.

The official said that work on developmental projects was underway in the region. The government wanted to bring the region at par with other developed areas of the country, he added.

Tribal elders Malak Jan Faraz and Malak Rais Khan said that there was exemplary peace in Waziristan as compared to other parts of the country. The government’s writ was established and various departments were functioning without any interference. They said that nobody would be allowed to disturb peace in the region.