PESHAWAR, Jan 10: Tribal elders have strongly opposed the government plan to merge Frontier Region of Dara Adam Khel with settled areas, warning that they would fully resist such move.

Speaking at a press conference here on Thursday, Haji Khaista Khan Afridi, head of Dara Adam Khel Loya Jirga, said that tribesmen would launch a protest movement against the proposed merger of the region with Peshawar. In this connection, he said a Jirga would be convened on Jan 13 in Dara to discuss future line of action.

He informed that the federal government had reportedly planned to eliminate the independent status of frontier regions and merge these areas with the settled areas, which created uncertainty among the people.

He alleged that bureaucracy was hatching conspiracy to instigate frontier region people against the government, adding that “tribesmen will neither give up their freedom nor compromise on their customs and traditions”.

He dispelled the impression that tribal elders and maliks were opposing reforms in Fata.

Haji Khaista Khan said that the country was passing through a very critical situation particularly the recent developments, taking place in Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban regime, while India had deployed its troops on the eastern borders.

He said some elements wanted to push the country into crisis to create problems for the government.

The government would have to pay a heavy price if the decision was not reviewed.