KHYBER: Frustrated with an impasse in dialogue with the government regarding the return of the remaining displaced families, Kukikhel elders on Sunday announced to boycott the polio vaccination campaign till their demands were met.

Announcing the unanimous decision of the protesting tribesmen camped in Bhagiyaree area, Malak Naseer Ahmad warned that a fine of Rs10,000 would be imposed on the person found ‘guilty’ of administering polio vaccine to his children in the Kukikhel-inhabited areas of Jamrud.

He alleged that the government was not sincere in resolving their problems and was unnecessarily dragging its feet on announcing a final date for the return of the remaining Kukikhel IDPs.

He, however, insisted that the boycott of polio drive was ‘imposed’ upon the people as officials were not interested in listening to their genuine and longstanding demands.

Malak Ahmad further said that relaxation of permission granted to light vehicles to travel to Landi Kotal would also be withdrawn as it was taken as a weakness by the government. The elder said that along with restricting light vehicles to ply on the main road, the protesters would also ask the heavy vehicles loaded with trade goods to use the Shalman-Malagori Road instead.

It was also learnt that a deadlock surfaced during the dialogue when the government demanded of the Kukikhel protesters to first end their road blockade and then a schedule would be announced for the return of the remaining IDPs.

The Kukikhel representatives, however, insisted that the protest would not be ended unless a return schedule was announced first.

Both the parties, however, agreed to continue to hold talks to find a way out of the existing stalemate.

Published in Dawn, September 9th, 2024