KHAR, Oct 7: The participants of a jirga here on Sunday demanded of the government to end military operation in Federally Administered Tribal Areas as use of force was no solution to the issue of insurgency.

They asked government to hold talks with all militant groups in Fata for restoration of lasting peace in tribal areas.

Tribal elders, religious scholars and political leaders attended the jirga that was organised by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl.

JUI-F provincial leader Mufti Abdul Shakoor, former MNA Maulana Ghulam Mohammad Sadiq, Malik Abdul Qadar Khan and others spoke on the occasion.

They said that holding a jirga in Bajaur was part of the process initiated by JUI-F to make consultations with elders and political leaders of different regions of Fata because tribal areas were passing through crucial stage.

They said that JUI-F was the first political party that arranged tribal jirgas in entire Fata. “JUI-F believes that jirga is the best platform for solution of problems and issues of tribal areas,” they added.

The speakers said that some elements sitting away from tribal areas called themselves experts and champions of the rights of Fata. “They are trying to make changes in the current status of Fata,” they said.

The speakers said that they were not ready to accept any kind of changes and reforms that were imposed on tribal people against their wishes. They said that bringing a change in the status of Fata was the right of tribal people only.

The speakers condemned Awami National Party for adopting a resolution wherein it demanded of federal government to make legislation for giving representation to tribal areas in the provincial assembly.

They said that worse law and order situation was the basic problem in Fata as thousands of tribal people were still living outside their areas.

They said that tribesmen wanted restoration of peace and stability in Fata. “We should struggle for restoration of peace in the entire Fata.

Tribal people will not benefit from the changes and reforms until normalcy returns to their areas,” they added.

The speakers demanded of the government to end military operation in Fata. Growing militancy in tribal areas was a result of use of force, they said. The government should begin dialogue with all militants groups because use of force was not solution of any problem, they added.

“If America can hold talks with Taliban in Afghanistan then why the government (of Pakistan) can’t hold talks with its own people,” they questioned.

The speakers also criticised federal government for what they called ignoring the problems and needs of tribal people.