PARACHINAR, Oct 28: Warring Bangash and Turi tribes on Friday agreed to open Thall-Parachinar Road after closure of years and begin rehabilitation of the displaced persons and reconstruction of their houses in the headquarters of Kurram Agency.

Under the agreement made at a grand tribal jirga, scores of people, who had fled the area due to frequent clashes between Turi and Bangash tribes, will begin returning today (Saturday), while Thall-Parachinar Road will open tomorrow (Sunday).

The road remained closed for the last four years due to clashes and violence in the area. Several attempts were made over the years to restore peace but each time, ceasefire and peace accord were violated to the misery of commoners.

The two tribes made the agreement at a meeting, where their elders, members of grand tribal jirga, parliamentarians and officials of political administration were in attendance.

MNAs Munir Orakzai and Sajid Hussain Turi, Secretary Anjuman-i-Hussainia Haji Hameed Hussain of Turi tribe and Haji Saleem Khan of Bangash tribe said the people of the region had been badly affected by lawlessness of the last four years.

They said locals loved peace and wanted peace in the area and therefore, elders of the two tribes would have to act together for it.

The speakers said after fighting for a longtime, the two tribes would have to forget enmity and live like brothers. They said instead of guns, they should give books to their children.

Political agent Shahab Ali Shah appreciated the role of tribal elders in restoration of peace and promised stern action against miscreants.

PEOPLE FLEE: People of Alisherzai area in central Kurram Agency on Thursday started vacating their houses after the security forces ordered them to shift to safe places in view of an imminent military operation in the area.

Sources said the security forces ordered the people to evacuate from the area as a military operation was likely to be launched against militants in the area.

Residents said the people immediately started leaving their houses because the security forces had ordered them to shift from the area by the Thursday evening.

The sources said the operation against militants would be launched under provisions of the Murree Peace Agreement reached between the government and the grand Tribal Jirga to start rehabilitation of the displaced tribesmen and to open the closed road links in the area.

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