LANDI KOTAL: A jirga of different tribal regions on Monday demanded extension in the tenure of Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif and pledged support to the armed forces against any possibly aggression by India.

The jirga, held at Teddi Bazaar in Jamrud amid tight security by Frontier Corps and Khasadar Force, was attended by a large number of tribal elders, political activists and local residents.

“We unanimously urge the federal government to extend the tenure of army chief as he has successfully restored peace in most parts of the country, especially the militancy-hit tribal areas,” the participants of the jirga demanded through a resolution.

Speaking on the occasion, former federal minister and MNA Noorul Haq Qadri said that although people of Fata had grievances against the federal government yet they were united against the common enemy of the country.

Pledges support to armed forces in case of aggression by India

“People of Fata are still facing a host of problems as they are yet to go back to their homes and rebuild their houses but they are fully behind the army chief to give a befitting reply to the coward Indians,” he said amid anti-India and anti-Modi slogans.

Malak Ghaffar, another tribal elder, went a step further by demanding the status of field marshal for chief of army chief. “It is the desire of the entire Fata population that not only the tenure of the army chief should be extended but he should be elevated to the status of field marshal as he has led the army with courage and sagacity,” he added.

The jirga was also addressed by Malak Waris Khan, Malak Darya Khan Zakhakhel, Malak Khan Mar Jan, Malak Niaz Mohammad, Malak Razzaq, Malak Israr Kukikhel, Malak Faizullah Jan, Mulana Guldad from Bajaur, Malak Zamin Shah Mohmand and many others.

Speakers in their speeches pledged their full support to army and claimed that entire population of Fata was waiting for a signal from the army chief to pick up arms against India.

They said that Indian Prime Minister Narindra Modi had gone insane in his enmity against the innocent people of Kashmir and the state of Pakistan. “The people of Fata have always sacrificed their lives and properties for Pakistan. They would not hesitate in doing so if given the chance again,” they added.

The speakers said that people of Fata had liberated Azad Jammu and Kashmir from India back in 1948. “Half of the Kashmir was liberated by our forefathers about six decades ago while we will clinch the rest of it from India with our own arms and ammunition. We will hoist our national flag at Srinagar if we are given a go-ahead signal,” they said.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2016