DERA GHAZI KHAN: Mazari tribe and its sub-clans will support police in a joint operation against the crime gangs in the riverine area of Rujhan Mazari tehsil of Rajanpur district to reestablish writ of the government there.

This was announced following a ‘grand jirga’ attended by a good number of heads of Mazari tribe’s sub-clans, besides Rajanpur DPO Attique Ahmed Tahir and the representatives of Rahim Yar Khan police, sources told Dawn on Tuesday.

The jirga held in Rujhan was headed by Zahid Mahmood Mazari and MPA Atif Mazari. It was called to discuss the deteriorated law and order situation in the riverine area of Rujhan Mazari.

The area is infested with crime gangs who have made their hideouts there, virtually making the local population hostage. Armed gangs roam freely in the area, openly challenging the government’s writ.

As many as 36 policemen have lost their lives so far in operations against these criminals.

The jirga decided that all clans of Mazari and their associate tribes and others residing in the area would take part in the operation, along with police, against these gangs.

The DPO told the jirga that initially surrender of criminals and their facilitators would be sought and in case of their refusal, the police with the help of tribal people would wage a war against the Pat, Sikhani and Lound gangs to purge the area of criminals.

PROJECTS: The district council has been accused of executing various development and non-development projects worth Rs30.5m without obtaining approval of the house, sources told Dawn.

District council convener/speaker Javed Iqbal Qaisrani, who is the signatory authority, has reportedly written a letter to the council’s chief officer, district officer planning and chairman about the illegal practice. Pointing out irregularities in the district council’s spending, the sources alleged that the council had spent Rs20m on development works without seeking approval of the house while Rs1.5m on provision of bulbs or light equipment to imambargahs of the district, Rs2m on overhaul of official vehicles which were still grounded and on the purchase of new office furniture.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Qaisrani said approval of the house for development or non-development works was a legal obligation. He said he had written a letter to the authorities concerned to complete the legal obligations regarding the projects.

District Council Chief Officer Chaudhry Farmaish Ali and Executive Engineer Abbas Sarwar denied any violation in financial matters and execution of projects while Vice Chairman Ahmed Khan Leghari said he would seek a report from the quarters concerned and anybody found guilty of misconduct would be punished.

Sources say there are differences over the financial matters between Leghari Group and Qaisrani and Khosa groups. Both groups belong to the PML-N.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2017