KHAR: The local elders settled a 35-year-old dispute between two rival groups in Bajaur Agency’s Nawagai tehsil on Thursday.

The feud over a piece of land between Gullo Qazi and Malik Abdul Ahad families was one of the oldest conflicts in the agency that had left several people dead and wounded on both sides.

The armed clashes had also caused destruction of a number of houses and others properties.

The settlement came at a ceremony held in Nawagai town that was attended by hundreds of tribesmen, religious leaders and tribal elders. MNA Bismillah Khan and leaders of various political parties were also present on this occasion.

Giving details, the jirga members said that the dispute had started over the ownership of a small piece of land in 1983. They said that settlement of the dispute through peaceful means was their mission and they did not lose hope to resolve it despite facing problems and hurdles over all these years.

On this occasion, elders of both the groups forgave each other and announced that they would live like brothers in future. They said that they had forgotten all the bitterness of past for the sake of the future of their younger generation.

The gathering was also addressed by Bismillah Khan, ANP leader Sheikh Jan Zada, Qazi Abdul Manan and Malang Jan.

They termed the settlement of personal enmity and disputes necessary for the socioeconomic development of the agency.

They said that Bajaur Agency was among the beautiful regions of the tribal areas and its residents were known for their tolerance and hospitality, but tribal clashes had affected the image of the agency.

Published in Dawn, March 9th, 2018