MOHMAND: The leaders of different political parties and local elders have called upon government to reopen all trade routes with Afghanistan in Mohmand tribal district.

They were addressing a jirga organised by Mohmand Political Alliance at Caption Rohullah Shaheed Sports Stadium in Ghalanai here the other day.

The jirga was attended by ANP provincial president Mian Iftikhar Hussain and provincial general secretary Hussain Shah, PTI provincial deputy information secretary Nawabzada Hussain Yousafzai, QWP provincial chairman Sikander Hayat Sherpao and provincial general secretary Dr Farooq Afzal, JUI’s Maulana Amanullah Haqqani and Maulana Abdul Rasheed Khan, JI leader Shah Faisal Afridi, PPP’s Akhundzada Chattan, Asghar Khan of PkMAP, MNA Sajid Khan Mohmand, MPA Dr Israr Khan, MPA Mehboob Sher, Upper Mohmand chairman Hafiz Taj Wali, Baizai chairman Maulana Bismillah Jan and others.

A large number of local elders, youth, lawyers and students also attended the jirga. Speakers said that tribal districts needed peace. They said that they did not want any more war in the region. “Hundreds of houses have been destroyed in the war against terrorism in tribal districts. The government should compensate the owners of destroyed houses,” they said.

Speakers say marble factory owners receive threatening calls from extortionists

MNA Sajid Khan Mohmand said that 80 per cent of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s marble was produced in Mohmand. He said that owners of marble factories were forced to pay extortion. He said that their factories were burnt when they refused to pay extortion.

He said that state institutions should ensure restoration of peace in Mohmand because development of the area was not possible without peace.

Asghar Khan said that they would have to unite for restoration of peace in the region.

Maulana Abdur Rasheed said that they were displaced owing to 20 years of war. “Sartaj Aziz Committee’s recommendations have not been implemented while tribal people are being asked to pay taxes. First, the promises made with tribal people should be fulfilled,” he added.

Sikandar Sherpao told the jirga that not a single penny was spent on tribal people even after six years of merger of their areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Mohmand Political Alliance president Jangriz Khan said that terrorism existed in tribal districts in various forms. He said that people in Mohmand were receiving threatening telephone calls for payment of extortion. “Fencing of border has been completed. From where these terrorists are coming,” he questioned.

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2024