LANDI KOTAL, Nov 2: The political administration of Khyber Agency has reinstated at least 44 khasadars, who had been suspended more than two years ago.

All the reinstated khasadars belong to Akkakhel tribe, residing in Bara subdivision of the tribal region. “The suspended khasadars were allowed to rejoin their duty after a formal request by a jirga of Akkakhel tribe,” Bara Assistant Political Agent Rehan Khattak told Dawn .

He said that the suspended khasadars assisted the recently formed peace committee and performed duties at the checkposts, jointly manned by volunteers and security forces in Akkakhel area.

“The administration decided to reinstate them as recognition of their commitment to restoration of peace in their area,” Mr Khattak added.

He said that more suspended khasadars would be reinstated if they assured the administration that they would not resign from their jobs in future.

At least 600 khasadars from different tribes of Bara had stopped performing duties on Sept 11, 2009 only two weeks after the government launched a military operation in the area against militant organisations and outlawed outfits.

The then political administration suspended all of them and invited applications from interested tribesmen to fill the vacant posts. However, the administration received a lukewarm response from Bara tribesmen as they were threatened by Lashkar-i-Islam aga-inst joining Khasadar Force.

The case of the suspended khasadar had been pending before the Fata security secretary for the last two years and some of the khasadars even moved Peshawar High Court for their reinstatement. The high court directed Fata secretariat to handle the issue.

Mr Khattak also urged the displaced families from Akkakhel to return to their homes as according him peace was restored in most parts of the area. — Correspondent