LAKKI MARWAT: A grand peace jirga has asked the government to refrain from launching a general operation against a handful of militants in the district as it can cause mass exodus of around one million locals.

On the call of Marwat Qaumi Jirga (MQJ), tens of thousands of people participated in the gathering held in Tajazai on Thursday. Traders kept their shutters down and attended the meeting to express solidarity with Marwat Qaumi Jirga.

The participants of the jirga said that there was no official word about any plan to launch a large-scale operation against militants in the district. However, they said a fear persisted among people regarding launch of a grand general operation against militants. They said that that any such action to eliminate a handful of militants would not be a wise step.

They said that locals always cooperated with police and security forces and they had no objection to intelligence-based operations. Along with national flags the participants also waved white flags as a symbol of peace.

Addressing the jirga, PTI leader and former district nazim Ishfaq Meenakhel said that Marwat and other tribes living in the district were peace loving and there was no justification to launch an operation. “Under any circumstance, the elders cannot allow law enforcers to launch an operation that can cause mass departure of locals to other areas,” he added.

Former federal minister Salim Saifullah Khan said that the army was strong with undaunted support of people and any operation against militants without the support of locals would not bear desired results.

He stressed the need for building trust between government and people and said that locals were poor and displacement would add to their miseries. He asked government to resolve people’s problems and take practical steps for their uplift.

“A general operation can be launched on our dead bodies as elders will be in the frontline to protect the lives and properties of Marwat and people from other tribes,” said former federal secretary and supreme commander of Marwat Qaumi Jirga.

He lauded police and other law enforcement agencies for their sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

MNA Naseer Mohammad Khan, Maulana Asghar Ali, Haji Ameer Nawaz Khan, Shafiullah Khan, Zeeshan Mohammad Khan, Nasir Kamal Marwat, Malik Mohammad Riaz Khan, Advocate Farman, Fazal Rahim Khan, Asif Iqbal, Maulana Samiullah Mujahid, MPA Johar Mohammad Khan, Pir Fawad Zakori, MPA Tariq Saeed Khan, Maulana Anwar Badshah, Waheed Aslam Khan and Latifullah Khan also addressed the jirga.

They asked the government to increase number of police and equip them with modern weapons and gadgets. They also demanded resumption of night patrolling by police and a crackdown on drug peddlers, gamblers and land grabbers.

They also asked the government to vacate the government educational institutions from security forces.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2024