SWABI: The elders here on Sunday formed Swabi Loya Jirga (SLJ), which would work mainly for peacefulsettlement of minor and major disputes and protecting the youth from drugs and other social evils.

About 800 elders from 56 union councils participated in the jirga.

Leading politicians from various political parties, lawyers, chairmen of four tehsils and jirga members of Charsadda and Mardan districtsattended the gathering for founding SLJ at Malakzo Hujra in Yar Hussain.

The efforts for establishing this important jirga were started six months ago when crime incidents had registered a marked increase and now the consultations culminated in a body that would work for peace according to the Pakhtun culture and traditions and preserving their centuries-old institution.

“It was perhaps the first occasion that various elders from all over the district, ulema, political leaders, social workers, writers and intellectuals gathered on a single platform andworked out a strategy to run the loya jirga,” said Saleem Khan advocate, former provincial general secretary of Awami National Party.

The gathering decided that the SLJ would be run by about 60-member supreme council, which would later form an executive committeeto help the jirga in its key functions.

“If intention of the jirga members is pious and free from personal interest and political influence, then I assure you that it would achieve its objectives,” said Khair Mohammad Kaka, who has a five-decade experience of being part of the jirga system.

The oath-taking will be held after finalisation of the supreme council and executive committee members.

Mufti Ghaniur Rehman said SLJ was supported by 200 leading religious scholars of the district and the remaining ulema were also part of it.

“If we fail today, the social evils will devour our values and culture,” said former provincial minister Awwal Sher Khan.

Ghafoor Khan Jadoon, former provincial minister, said the district police had failed to curb the menace of drugs. Maulana Fazal Ali spoke about the vital role of ulema in strengthening SLJ.

Published in Dawn,June 13th, 2022