Ban on parties' activities sought

Published April 10, 2004

PESHAWAR, April 9: The Tehrik-i-Ittehad-i-Qabael has criticized the role of religious and political parties during the military operation in Wana and urged the government to ban their activities in Fata.

Speaking at a news conference here at the Peshawar Press Club on Friday, TIQ chief Malik Khan Marjan Wazir slammed the Awami National Party and Jamaat-i-Islami for holding Jirgas in Peshawar which, he alleged, were meant to serve their political ends and fuel hatred against the security forces.

He said tribesmen would not allow any conspiracy against the present system (Frontier Crimes Regulations) which, he added, had helped keep peaceful atmosphere in Fata.

He welcomed development schemes in Fata, including construction of schools, roads and hospitals. However, he criticized Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat and Information Minister Shaikh Rashid Ahmed for their 'anti-tribesmen' statement.

Mr Wazir urged the government to resolve the problem through negotiations instead of using force against tribal people. He suggested that the government should form a grand tribal Jirga and allow it to take stern action against the miscreants involved in anti-state activities in Fata.

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...