KHAR: The district administration has decided to form the Council of Elders in Bajaur tribal district for the resolution of disputes in line with local customs and traditions.

The decision was announced by deputy commissioner Usman Mehsud during a jirga of Tharkani and Utmankhel, major tribes of the region here on Friday.

The jirga was attended by pro-administration elders, leaders of political and religious parties, traders, and members of youth organisations.

The deputy commissioner said initially, the Council of Elders would have 80 members from both Tharkani and Utmankhel tribes in equal numbers.

He said the council would strengthen the jirga system for the resolution of the residents’ disputes besides helping the administration allocate development schemes.

Mr Mehsud said the administration would never ignore local elders in the handling of affairs and would rather try to enhance their importance.

He asked the elders of both Tharkani and Utmankhel tribes to propose names for the council in two days.

The elders from both tribes, including Malik Abdul Aziz, Malik Ayaz Khan, Malik Bahadar Shah, Malik Juma Said, Anwar Zeb Khan, Malik Daood Khan and Malik Sultan Zeb Khan, welcomed the initiative hoping it will help resolve disputes effectively and encourage residents to play due role in the execution of development schemes.

They said ‘committed and sincere’ elders should be made part of the council to restore the people’s confidence in jirga system.

The elders said the jirga system was the best way to resolve disputes but corrupt and unprofessional members damaged its reputation in the people’s eyes.

However, leaders of various political and religious parties and youths organisations opposed the council and declared it an attempt by the administration to retain the old system based on the Frontier Crimes Regulation and foil the introduction of a proper judicial system in the district.

They said the council was meant to empower tribal elders.

Dr Khalilur Rehman of the PTI, Aurangzeb of the PPP, Qari Abdul Majeed of the Jamaat-i-Islami, Gul Afzal Khan of the ANP said the administration was not authorised to from such committee and therefore, it should review its decision about it.

However, the deputy commissioner rejected those reservations and said the Council of Elders wasn’t meant to sabotage the upcoming local body elections in the region and instead, it would encourage elders to play due role in the resolution of local disputes besides helping the administration in the execution of development activities.

He said the administration would set up the council whether it was supported by the political and religious parties or not.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2019