GHALANAI: The elders belonging to Kamali Haleemzai area on Monday constituted a 22-member jirga tasked with resolving the tribal disputes.

The development came at a meeting held in the hujra of Malik Rahim in Ghazi Baig area.

The elders, including Malik Rahim Khan, Saraf Shah, Malik Din and Malik Ismail khan, said jirga was a centuries-old custom and was hugely instrumental in resolving the local disputes to the satisfaction of the parties involved.

This was the first jirga formed after the former Fata’s merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The elders said they would support the district administration and security forces in maintaining law and order situation in the area. They said the tribesmen had rendered numerous sacrifices in the restoration of peace to the tribal district.

The tribal elders, however, showed concern over the increasing use of ice drug among youth and its unhindered trafficking.

The participants said problems and conflicts should be resolved without binding any party to pay compensation. They said the newly-formed jirga would provide relief to the poor tribesmen without putting them under any financial pressure.

The elders unanimously nominated Malik Haji Rahim as president, Haji Bakht Sher general secretary and Kitab Jan finance secretary of the jirga.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2020