LOWER DIR: A local jirga on Thursday helped two tribal groups settle a 50-year-old land dispute in Jandol area here.

Members of both groups embraced each other and promised to live peacefully.

The elders of Mashwani tribe led by chieftain Malik Ayub Zarin persuaded members of the two groups to resolve the dispute by dialogue.

Haji Lal Zada led one group during talks and Malik Anwar Khan the other.

A function was later held at the residence of Haji Lalzada in Sadbarkallay area, where members of both groups showed up.

The residents said the dispute had so far claimed 65 lives and caused financial loss of millions of rupees to both groups.

PROTESTS: Pakistan Peoples Party leader and former minister Bakht Baidar Khan on Thursday announced that it would stage protests against the government for not including Lower Dir district in the economic zone plan.

He told reporters in Chakdara area here that the government seemed to be uninterested in developing the districts.

The PPP leader said Chakdara was the gateway to all districts of Malakand division, so it should have an economic zone. He criticised the ruling PTI for naming the Chakdara Expressway as Swat Expressway.

Mr Bakht said the PPP would begin a protest movement if the government didn’t announce the establishment of Chakdara Economic Zone.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2021