The tribe will abide by the deal signed with the govt in 2007 and will not attack security forces in its areas.—AP

WANA The Ahmadzai Wazir tribe of South Waziristan announced on Thursday that it would abide by the peace deal signed with the government in 2007 and would not attack security forces in its areas.

The tribe took the decision after its 120 elders and notables met Political Agent Syed Shahab Ali Shah and other senior officials in Wana.

Officials claimed that a group of elders had earlier met militant commander Maulvi Nazir and held 'successful' talks with him.

However, sources close to Maulvi Nazir, a staunch supporter of the Taliban movement, expressed ignorance about any such meeting.

Maulvi Nazir, who won government backing after he had launched an armed campaign against Uzbek militants in 2007, joined Baitullah Mehsud and Hafiz Gul Bahadur and formed a united front in February this year, pledging to fight their common 'enemy'.

The sources said the Ahmadzai Wazir jirga was a part of government's attempt to isolate Baitullah Mehsud, the head of the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.

The government came under pressure when Hafiz Gul Bahadur, who was in its good books, scrapped the peace agreement in North Waziristan and claimed responsibility for the June 28 attack on a military convoy in which 27 soldiers were killed.

Assistant Political Agent Abdul Ghafoor Shah described Thursday's jirga as successful and said that Ahmadzai Wazir tribesmen would work for peace in their area.

The political administration released six tribesmen as a goodwill gesture at the request of the jirga.

The jirga decided that Ahmadzai Wazir tribesmen would fulfill their collective and territorial responsibilities and support government's effort for peace in the area.

APP adds The Ahmadzai Wazir tribe announced that it would cooperate with the government in its efforts to restore peace in South Waziristan. The jirga was held in the office of assistant political agent in Garmai Wana.
 
Jirga members Malik Ghazi Mohammad and Malik Sorat Khan told reporters that Maulvi Nazir had agreed to stand by the peace agreement in view of the situation in South Waziristan and to work for peace in Wana under the prevailing laws.

Political Agent Syed Shahab Ali Shah confirmed that the peace agreement would remain intact.

The tribesmen said the decision would be of great help in restoring peace in South Waziristan and eradicating the menace of terrorism.