WANA: The Ahmadzai Wazir tribe on Saturday ‘pardoned’ a local leader of the Awami National Party (ANP) and withdrew its decision about demolishing his house.

ANP leader Ayaz Wazir had sought action against target killers and other criminal gangs during a jirga in Wana on Friday to stem lawlessness in South Waziristan district. He also said that police be empowered to raid houses for busting criminals. Target killing is on the rise in the area.

Mr Wazir’s demand caused commotion in the jirga, which was also attended by Deputy Commissioner Fahadullah and senior officers of the law enforcement agencies. The jirga was wound up and some elders called for severe punishment for Mr Wazir. Elders termed his stance a breach of tribal customs and norms.

The Ahmadzai Wazir tribe held a session of its jirga at Kiri Kot in South Waziristan district on Friday.

A follow-up jirga was convened on Saturday which decided to raise an armed Lashkar of 1,200 people to demolish the house of Mr Wazir.

Elders of the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe said that they would protect the prestige of the jirga and would not let anybody weaken this esteemed institution.

“The stance of Ayaz Wazir was an insult to the elders of the jirga and we will not tolerate it,” said Malik Jamil Khan, who led the jirga.

The administration called in an additional police force from adjacent districts and held talks with the elders to resolve the issue.

Officials said that senior officials of the administration persuaded elders to accept a fine of Rs1m and four rams as repentance (Nanawatay) in lieu of demolishing Mr Wazir’s house.

The deputy commissioner, District Police Officer Shaukat Ali and senior officers of law enforcement agencies held talks with the jirga. They said that the jirga accepted the offer and forgave Mr Wazir.

An official said that Mr Wazir belonged to the Jakhel clan of Ahmadzai Wazir tribe and his clansmen paid the fine on his behalf.

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2020