GHALANAI: Mohmand Agency Political Agent Mahmood Aslam Wazir has urged the tribesmen of bordering Khwezai and Biazai tehsils to return to their areas as the government’s writ had been restored in the region.

Various development works have been completed in the areas under a special package approved by the provincial government, he said while talking to a jirga of Biazai elders here the other day.

Mr Wazir appreciated the role played by Mohmand tribesmen and security forces in restoration of peace in the tribal region. He said many tribesmen were displaced from their areas due to militancy but now thanks to the sacrifices of forces and tribesmen peace had been restored in these areas and the tribesmen should return to their homes without any fear.

“Several checkposts have been established near the Pak-Afghan border to check the militants’ movement in the border region,” he said, adding after the restoration of peace marble exploration was also in progress in the region.

The political agent said border areas were still backward and needed more funds and urged the federal government to sanction a special developmental package for the region.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters at the Mohmand Press Club, tribal elders demanded reopening of the Pak-Afghan trade route at Gursal.

They said the trade route had been closed for last seven years due to which trade activity had badly been affected, besides causing unemployment.

Khista Rehman, a trader at Lakaro Bazaar, who used to bring goods from Afghanistan, said the closure of route between the two countries had rendered hundreds of people jobless and also created food shortage in the border areas.

Attaullah Khan, a tyre dealer, said the businesses had slumped, forcing the traders to flee the area. “About 1,000 tribesmen worked in Mian Mandi market every day, but now they have been rendered jobless,” he said.

Bahram Khan, a van driver, said he was jobless because there had been no trip to Afghanistan since long.

TWO SUSPECTS ARRESTED: The security forces conducted a search operation in the border areas of Biazai subdivision and arrested two suspects.

Sources said the security forces, including Levies and khasadars, conducted the search operation in Koda Khel and Atam Kallay areas and arrested two suspects. They were shifted to the security forces’ camp for interrogation. The personnel also raided the house of one Khan Zada Khan of Shati Meena area of Ambar tehsil and apprehended him on suspicion.

The operation was conducted to track down perpetrators of an IED blast in which five security men were injured.

CHILD KILLED ON ROAD: A four-year-old child, Wajid Khan, was killed when a car hit him on Tuesday. The driver was arrested by the local administration after the incident.

In another incident, a passenger coach overturned in Dandh Burkhan Khel area of Pindilai, wounding seven persons. They were taken to hospital.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2017