BAJAUR: Speakers at a jirga here on Sunday called upon the government to reopen all routes between Pakistan and Afghanistan for trade and movement of people in Bajaur tribal district.

The routes have been closed for more than one decade.

The local chapter of Awami National Party organised the jirga in Nawagai area that was attended by tribal elders, political leaders and representatives of traders in a large number.

ANP leaders Gul Afzal Khan, Nisar Baz Khan, Sheikh Janzada and Malik Attaullah Khan; All Bajaur Political Parties Alliance head Qazi Abdul Manan, religious scholar Maulana Khanzeb, Maualna Attaullah Rahmani, Maulana Masihullah Haqani, Sahibzada Malang Jan and Mian Ali Bahadur addressed the jirga.

They said that all the border routs between Pakistan and Afghanistan in different areas of the region had been closed since 2007. They said that law and order situation was improved in the district but the routes were still closed.

The speakers said that the people of Bajaur had attached great expectations with the government to reopen the border routes following restoration of peace in the region and after reopening of routes in other tribal districts.

However, the government has yet to take any tangible step for reopening of the border routes for both trade and people movement in the district.

The speakers termed the unnecessary delay in reopening of the border routes between the two neighbouring countries in the region unjustified.

They said that closure of routes was injustice with the people of Bajaur.

They said that reopening of the border routes, connecting Bajaur with Afghanistan, was vital for socioeconomic development of the region as a large number of local people would benefit from the trade activities.

The speakers demanded of Prime Minister Imran Khan and others relevant authorities to take tangible step for early reopening of Nawa Pass, Ghakhi Pass, Lati Pass and other routes for trade and people movement.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2021