LANDI KOTAL: Governor Shah Farman has said that merger of tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will not affect the status of traditional tribal jirga, nor would it challenge the tribal customs and traditions.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of “Governor Fruit for All” plantation drive at the Levies Centre in Jamrud tehsil of Khyber district on Thursday, he said that he had promised the tribesmen that all their useful and time tested customs and traditions would be retained intact along with judicious utilisation of all the development funds in accordance with the needs and aspirations of the local people.

He said that council of elders or jirga would be formed at subdivisional level for speedy resolution of local conflicts and disputes. “Noted and experienced elders of all the major tribes would be given equal representation in these jirgas,” he added.

Says council of elders to be formed at subdivisional level

The governor urged the tribesmen to dispel any misconception from their minds about the government’s intentions of disturbing or unduly interfering in the local customs and traditions. “Regular laws would be implemented in the tribal districts with incorporation of local customs and traditions,” he said.

Mr Farman expressed the hope that the jirgas could play an effective role in resolution of civil cases.

He said that he was aware of the damage caused to properties in tribal areas due to militancy. He added that all the affected people would be compensated in due course of time.

“I along with Chief Minister Mahmud Khan will soon be visiting the tribal districts to remove the apprehensions of local people about any discrepancies in the merger plan,” he said.

The governor planted a fruit tree at the Levies Centre.

Deputy Commissioner Mehmud Aslam Wazir informed the governor that 120,000 fruit trees would be planted in different parts of Khyber during spring plantation drive. He said that forest and agriculture departments would provide 50,000 fruit saplings each while the rest 20,000 would be arranged by the district administration.

SCUFFLE: The khasadars and handcart owners scuffled with each other when a khasadar injured a cart pusher with rifle butts near immigration offices at the Torkham border on Thursday.

Sources said that pedestrian movement on road was also suspended for some time when handcart pushers and khasadars on duty were engaged in physical scuffle. The matter was later resolved with the intervention of local traders and officials.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2019