LAKKI MARWAT: The Marwat Qaumi Jirga and government officials on Tuesday agreed to work together to restore peace and normalcy in the region.

Both sides vowed to eliminate terrorism and maintain peace in the district, saying no one will be allowed to cause trouble.

The elders assured authorities of their full support and cooperation for maintaining peace and said the residents would stand with the police and security forces in the fight against terrorism.

During the two-day talks, the government was represented by Bannu commissioner Abid Wazir, regional police officer Imran Shahid, deputy commissioner Fahad Wazir, district police officer Aqeeq Hussain, and military officials.

The representatives of the Marwat Qaumi Jirga included former federal minister Anwar Saifullah Khan, former MNA Naseer Mohammad Khan, elders Akhtar Munir Marwat, Haji Mohammad Aslam Khan, Haji Amir Nawaz Khan, Maulana Samiullah Mujahid and Shafiullah Khan Begukhel, Lakki tehsil council chairman Shafqatullah Khan, Ghaznikhel tehsil council chairman Zeeshan Mohammad Khan and members of different clans.

The RPO said that police were prepared to deal with any challenges.

He said it was the prime responsibility of the police to protect public life and property, so their officials would fulfil it by all means.

Mr Shahid said that the provincial government had provided the police with modern weapons and facilities to maintain law and order.

He praised residents and security personnel for offering “immense sacrifices to restore peace in the district” and said that those sacrifices won’t go to waste.

The commissioner said that the police were the front-line fighters against terrorists and had offered great sacrifices for restoring peace in the region.

“The Marwat elders, security forces and police are on the same page for the cause of lasting peace in the district with support of the local tribesmen,” key member of the Qaumi Jirga Akhtar Munir Marwat told reporters after the meeting.

He said that the jirga members and government officials discussed various issues, mostly pertaining to law and order and people’s desire for peace.

Mr Marwat said that if anti-peace elements repented their previous activities, they should surrender to law-enforcement agencies otherwise they shouldn’t trouble the locals.

“Nearly a million people will offer resistance if militants don’t leave the area and continue with their subversive activities,” he warned.

The jirga member said that his forum had offered militants a chance to renounce violence, join the mainstream, and live a peaceful life like other citizens.

He said that the troublemakers shouldn’t misconstrue the goodwill of the elders and should consider the offer as anopportunity for integration into society.

Mr Marwat said that the security forces and police would launch joint patrols in the area to eliminatemiscreants and maintain peace.

Published in Dawn, August 7th, 2024