PESHAWAR: The elders of Mehsud tribe have decided that they will not boycott the public meeting of Prime Minister Imran Khan during his visit to South Waziristan tribal district, scheduled for Wednesday (today).

According to a statement, the elders made the decision after holding a meeting with Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, who assured them of payment of compensation for their damaged properties.

The statement said that on the occasion PML-N local leaders Dilawar Mehsud and Ismail Khan Mehsud as well as JUI-F leader Gulab Khan Mehsud announced to join PTI.

It said that Mehsud elders informed the chief minister about their concerns including widespread public apprehensions regarding the recent census, corruption in development schemes and anomalies in the damage assessment survey.

The elders said that development schemes should be finalised on war footings keeping in view the aspirations of people. They added that all development projects should be undertaken in the Mehsud belt with the consensus of locals.

The elders also informed the chief minister about the reserves of minerals including gold, copper and chromite in South Waziristan.

The chief minister assured them development schemes in the Mehsud belt would be finalised in consultation with locals. He said that stern action would be taken against the people involved in corrupt practices. He added damage assessment survey would be completed soon and the affected people would be compensated.

Mr Khan said that it was top priority of the government to provide relief to the people of the newly merged districts through establishment of schools, hospitals, playgrounds and by providing livelihood opportunities to the local people.

Our correspondent from Tank adds: Mehsud elders announced boycott of the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan on April 24 to the tribal district.

The decision was made during a jirga of Mehsud elders with former federal minister Ali Amin Gandapur in Tank on Monday regarding Imran Khan’s visit to the tribal district. Mr Gandapur tried to woo the tribal elders but he failed to do so.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2019