KHAR, June 3: A jirga comprising elders from different tribes succeeded on Sunday after several meetings to end a 20-year-old enmity between two sub-tribes of Salarzai area of Bajaur Agency.

The enmity between the Swatian and Roghnin sub-tribes continued for about two decades and it had so far claimed lives of 15 people from both sides besides injuries to several others.

In order to settle the dispute, the administration had formed a jirga of tribal elders of various sub-tribes of the region and after holding several meetings with both the rival parties the jirga succeeded in its mission. “The rival sub-tribes agreed to forgive each other and end the enmity,” said an elder of the jirga.

In this connection a ceremony was held at Pashat area of Salarzai  tehsil  on Sunday in which hundreds of tribal elders, members of peace committees and a large number of volunteers of Salarzai Gumi laskhar participated. The elders of both the rival tribes forgave each other and declared under oath that in future they would live like brothers.

Speaking at the ceremony, chief of Salarzai tribe and ex-MNA Sahahabuddin Khan said that local disputes and enmities had always affected peace in the region.

“Our area is passing through a critical period because we are facing a lot of challenges by miscreants who are the big enemies of peace in the region,” he said.

Mr Khan urged the tribesmen to resolve their differences through peaceful means because use of weapons was not the solution to any conflict.

The notables and members of peace committees who spoke at the jirga included Malik Nasar Khan, Malik Musafar Khan, Malik Nizamudddin, Malik Abdul Hakeem, Malik Sher Zamin, Malik Ziarat Gul, Malik Bakht Baidar and Malik Mohammad Yar.