MANSEHRA: A jirga jointly formed by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan governments to settle the bilateral boundary dispute has received the consent of the conflict zone’s settlers for its decision to be declared in the days ahead.

“We met settlers of the disputed territory between KP and GB and got their willingness to accept whatever the decree issued by us to settle the issue amicably once for all,” jirga head Maulana Khanbahadar told reporters in Dasu area on Tuesday.

He said 24-strong jirga visited the 8km long disputed area and met residents of Harban Basha (KP) and Thor (GB), who assured them that they would endorse its decision.

“We are thankful to both sides, which welcomed us on the disputed territory and cooperated with us for the completion of the task,” he said.

Maulana Khanbahadar said the jirga asked settlers of both sides to produce documentary or other evidence of their claim to the disputed territory.

“We will meet elders of Harban in Shitial (Upper Kohistan) on Jan 18 to have documents proving their ownership claim,” he said.

The dispute had led to armed clashes in 2014 claiming many lives. The federal government later deployed Rangers there.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2021