KHYBER: Speakers at a seminar here on Sunday called upon law enforcement agencies to fulfil their responsibility of restoring lasting peace in Tirah valley and remove the prevailing fear and mistrust among people.

The event titled ‘Tirah Peace Seminar’ was organised by Bara Siyasi Ittehad in Bara. The seminar was attended by present and former parliamentarians from Khyber, tribal elders and representatives of various political parties along with traders, teachers, youth and civil society members.

The participants of the event expressed concerns over resurgence of militant groups in the valley and deteriorating security situation in the region, which had only partially recovered after the return of displaced families from the adverse effects of over a decade-long militancy and extremism.

Speakers said that thousands of Tirah families had vacated their homes and lived a miserable life in their decade-long displacement only to once again find themselves in the middle of insecurity and resurgence of outlawed armed groups in recent months.

Participants of seminar question presence of militants in the area

They said that displaced families agreed to return to their homes only when they were given firm assurance by law enforcement agencies about restoration of lasting peace and expulsion of all militants and miscreants from Tirah valley.

They questioned the presence of a large number of armed militants in Tirah as every ordinary resident was registered at entry and exit points and border with Afghanistan was fenced.

They alleged that an atmosphere of fear and insecurity was intentionally created with ‘artificial’ Taliban brought into the valley to force the residents of Tirah to again vacate their houses and become IDPs. “But we are aware of these conspiracies and could not be trapped for the second time,” they added.

Through various resolutions, the participants of the seminar showed solidarity with the protesting Kikukhels and demanded immediate and honourable return of all the remaining IDPs, halt to shelling by security forces and restoration of mobile phone and internet services.

They also demanded restoration of peace and ensuring respect and dignity of common people backed by strong guarantees about a secure trading atmosphere.

Through another resolution, they demanded of federal government to refuse all foreign funds given by United Nations through the United States for what they called ‘destruction’ instead of development of tribal districts in particular and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in general.

The seminar was addressed by BSI president Sherin Afridi, MNA Iqbal Afridi, MPAs Suhail Afridi and Abdul Ghani, tehsil chairman Mufti Kafeel, former federal minister Hameedullah Jan Afridi, Bazaar Gul Afridi, Shah Faisal Afridi, Farhad Shabab, Murad Saqi, Zahidullah, Sher Afgan and Malak Barkat.

KILLED: A young man was allegedly killed by his brother over a domestic issue in Landi Kotal on Sunday.

Police said that Abdul Ghafoor opened firing on his elder brother Abdul Bari and killed him on the spot after they exchanged hot words over a family matter.

They said that the alleged killer along with his uncle Abdul Samad, who gave a pistol to him, was arrested soon after the incident.

In Jamrud, police said that they arrested a man, who was wanted by them in the murder of four persons.

They said that Rambel Afridi killed four persons from his rival family in Jamrud on the second day of Eidul Azha over a land dispute. Since then he was absconding and police traced him after some hectic efforts.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2024