KOHAT: A jirga of the 18 tribes of the Orakzai district on Saturday rejected the anticipated military operation in the region, stressing that all the issues should be resolved through negotiations because the fallout of such an offensive will only result in casualties of those who are not ready to leave their homes.

The gathering of elders and youth was held in the Dabori area of upper Orakzai.

Those who spoke on the occasion included Laal Mad Shah, Maulana Zeenat, Malik Mujeeb, Haji Izzat Gul, Mufti Tahir and others.

Majority of the elders belonged to Alikhel and Mullahkhel tribes.

They criticised the administration for the worse law and order situation in the region.

They said that a military operation would cause massive displacements, causing immense difficulties for the tribesmen.

The jirga participants said that there had been no word from the government about paying the transportation costs, money for rented houses, and food for the people who might be displaced in the event of a military operation.

The participants said the tribesmen couldn’t afford to leave their areas once again as they faced much difficulty in settling down after a military operation in 2010.

They said that all the earlier operations had proved futile, fearing the new operation would also meet the same fate. Earlier, they said that very nominal compensation was paid to them for their damaged houses.

The participants noted that majority of the people who were displaced in 2010 and 2011 had not returned as yet.

Meanwhile, the 142 policemen, including an inspector, who were suspended for not obeying the orders of performing duty at Ghund Mela post the other day have been reinstated.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2025