GHALANAI, April 4: The tribal elders in Mohmand Agency have demanded of the authorities to restore the old jirga system and strengthen role of elders in resolution of disputes in the area.

The tribal elders made the demand during a jirga held at the agency headquarters, Ghalanai, on Thursday.

Addressing the jirga, Malik Said Mehmood Jan Burkhankhel, Malik Amir Nawaz Khan Haleemzai, Malik Israil Safi, Malik Izat Khan Ambar, former senator Abdul Wahid, Malik Ismail Sher, Malik Tehmash Khan Essakhel, Malik Nazir Khan, Malik Sahib Dad, Malik Ajmal Khan and Malik Ayaz said that they would not allow anyone to diminish the role of tribal elders and weaken old jirga system in Mohmand tribal region.

They said that government should restore the old system and role of tribesmen as tribal people were against those forces that wanted to abolish the jirga system.

The tribal elders also showed concern over closure of marble factories in Mohmand Agency, saying that marble mines were playing key role in the development of the area.

“About 400 marble factories have been closed in the area, rendering thousands of labourers jobless,” Malik Israil told the jirga.

He said that marble was a source of income for Mohmand Agency as well as the entire country because Ziarat Marble of the area was famous all over the world.

“The administration is not paying us monthly allowance owing to closure of marble mines. It has also affected some small development schemes in the area,” another tribal elder said.

One of the marble contractors told Dawn that the security forces were demanding a surety of Rs2 billion from each contractor that he would not pay money to militants.

If a contractor was found paying money to militants, his surety would be confiscated, he added.

The tribal elders demanded of the authorities to restore the old jirga system and open all marble factories in Mohmand Agency.